News

Ratings Report for the Week of February 8-12, 2016

“Days of our Lives” has made a head writing switch. Josh Griffith, who joined the soap in 2015 as co-head writer with Dena Higley, is out and is being replaced by Ryan Quan. Soap Opera Digest first reported the news, that was quickly confirmed by the show.

“General Hospital’s” mysterious Dixon, who Paul Hornsby (Richard Burgi) has been heard conversing with for the last several weeks, has finally been identified as actor Troy Ruptash, who debuts in the recurring role beginning Friday, February 19, Soap Opera Network has learned.

First reported by The New York Times, Paul Lee has stepped down as president, ABC Entertainment Group, effective immediately. Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC Television Group, has named Channing Dungey as Lee’s successor as president, ABC Entertainment. Dungey, who is credited with the successful launch of such shows as “Scandal,” “Criminal Minds,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Quantico,” “Army Wives” and “Once Upon A Time,” will report directly to Sherwood. Patrick Moran, executive vice president, ABC Studios, will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, and will also report directly to Mr. Sherwood.

If you tuned into today’s episode of ABC’s “General Hospital,” you probably took notice of a conversation Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Jason Morgan (Billy Miller) had with Jason’s mother, Dr. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson), over Jason and Elizabeth’s son, Jake (James Nigbor), and the severity of his recent injuries. Monica suggested that their son’s orthopedic care be moved from General Hospital in Port Charles to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia. The transition to Shriners marks the second consecutive year in which Shriners Hospitals for Children has teamed up with the daytime drama series to raise awareness and support for the expert care it provides to kids. Last year, the soap told the story of Spencer Cassadine (Nicolas Bechtel), who was severely burned following a fire at Wyndemere. In story, Spencer was treated at the Boston location for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Actress Angell Conwell is returning to CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” next month as Leslie Michaelson, reports Soap Opera Digest. According to the publication, Conwell’s character is being called to Genoa City to help someone in need of her legal expertise on the Monday, March 14 episode of the soap.

After portraying Griffin Castillo on “All My Children” and Tony Santos on “Guiding Light,” actor Jordi Vilasuso decided the timing was right for another turn in daytime. Lucky for him, “Days of our Lives” was looking to expand the Hernandez clan with the return of Dario (last played by Francisco San Martin). After meeting with executive producer Ken Corday, co-executive producer Albert Alaar and co-head writer Josh Griffith last summer, Vilasuso responded well to the idea of portraying a “very intelligent” character on the soap.

Congratulations are in order for former “General Hospital” head writer Ron Carlivati. The writer, along with his team consisting of Anna Theresa Cascio, Andrea Archer Compton, Suzanne Flynn, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Daniel James O’Connor, Elizabeth Page, Jean Passanante, Katherine Schock, Scott Sickles and Chris Van Etten, took home the WGA Award in the category of Daytime Drama for their writing work on the anniversary episode of the soap opera.

If you are a fan of “General Hospital,” and have not been living under a rock, you are probably aware of Nathan Varni, manager, current series, ABC Entertainment. But what you may not be aware of is recent allegations that the executive may have allegedly crossed the line when it comes to revealing intimate details surrounding contract negotiations between the network and its actors, particularly in regards to Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber).

According to Daytime Confidential, contract talks between “General Hospital” and one of its leading ladies has reportedly hit a snag. Rebecca Herbst, who has been with the show since 1997 as Elizabeth Webber, might even be headed to NBC’s “Days of our Lives” should talks between the soap and the actress lead to her exiting the daytime drama series.