GH Showrunner Speaks Out on Controversial Storyline

Los Angeles, CA -- Sources reported strange noises coming from offices at General Hospital several times this week.  But fears of foul play were put to rest when executive producer Jill Farren Phelps clarified that the sounds were merely the show's writing team scraping the bottom of the barrel.

"Bob Guza and his fellow writers have definitely sunk pretty low before -- you have to when you've made the mafia the moral core of your show -- but this week they really stretched and I'm proud to say I think we really did reach the bottom.  We found ourselves in a bit of a predicament, because after the character of Jax was beaten, threatened, and coerced into having sex with a lunatic character that we had little reason to bring onto the canvas other than to perpetuate all kinds of disturbing crimes against one of our few remaining non-mob leading men, the fallout from that story threatened not to center around Carly, Sonny, or Jason.  So we put our minds to it and figured out that the best approach would be to make Jax being a sexual assault victim be all about Carly, and blame him for having been brutalized.  It was an inspired choice, if I do say so myself.  And as a woman, I'm especially proud to have been at the helm of ABC Daytime's flagship soap during this time, overseeing such groundbreaking storytelling.

But it wasn't easy; we really had to work to get things just right. First, we had Carly start referring to the assault as infidelity, and comparing it to when her ex actually did cheat on her.  Bob and his team wrote some great dialogue, like "My husband slept with another woman.  Something I came to expect from Sonny.  Not from Jax." There's really a lot of layers to this brilliant writing.  Among other things, this way we killed two birds with one stone because we not only made clear that Carly is the victim here, we also put Sonny -- who is a professional criminal and orders people killed as part of his "job," and who cheated on Carly -- on the same moral plane with Jax, a legitimate businessman, who still bore the marks of being repeatedly assaulted, including bruises that look like he got hit in the face with a 50-pound sandbag while wearing a steel Lone Ranger mask.

And, because a focus group in 1997 concluded that Steve Burton is really good-looking, we don't go a day without a few Jason scenes.  So we had Carly confide in Jason about her victimization.  She told Jason that Jax, by "sleeping with" Irina, "failed [her]," and Jason agreed. Bob also wanted to lighten things up a bit by throwing a little humor in, so he had Jason and Carly giggle at the idea that Jax could have been forced into having sex with Irina. 

That really amplified the hilarious nature of Jax's violation -- oops, I mean of Jax's violation of his and Carly's relationship, because Jax wasn't violated, of course.  And then we had Jason -- who kills other human beings for profit and impregnated a married woman and then lied about it for months to his fiancée -- chastise Jax for his moral lapse:  "You slept around on her!"  We're really pleased that the story has so many layers and that so many of our core characters have been able to get involved with the fallout from Jax's betrayal of Carly.

Making Carly seem like even more of a self-obsessed, shrill, entitled harpy than ever was a top priority for us, so I'm thrilled with our success on that front as well. Our well-tested theory about what the mostly female audience of soaps wants includes that women love watching one-dimensionally awful characters become the centerpieces of their favorite shows, especially if those characters are women.  Viewers particularly like it when we appear to be having a contest to see which character we can run into the ground faster.  Currently, it's a battle among Liz, Sam, and Carly, but I'm confident with this story we'll put Carly ahead for good.  Worst is best!  That's a motto that has been working out really well for us over the last decade or so.

One of the best things about this whole storyline is that it was conceived of as a redemption arc for Jerry, Jax's brother.  We needed to redeem him after we brought him back as a blond English sociopath, so we had him rescue Jax . . . by shooting the love of his life in the back and then rather gleefully dumping her body into the open ocean after stuffing her corpse into a body bag.  Since Irina was bad and therefore deserved to be killed, there's no moral ambiguity necessary for the Jerry character.  It was really moving stuff.  I couldn't be prouder of Bob and his team.  Well, if they had incorporated a tarp in some way, maybe I could be, but I'm happy with the results nonetheless.  We're confident that Jerry is now a hero in the eyes of the audience, and if we can just find a way for him to routinely interact with Sonny and Jason, I think he can replace at least three characters on the canvas -- probably a doctor, a nurse, and a cop.

We've been focusing on getting the word out about Bob and his crew's fantastic work these past few weeks:  marketing this story alongside others that involve actual infidelity in a promo called "Ultimate Betrayal" that we've been running ad nauseum on SoapNet, and sending an email to our whole list explaining how Carly was wronged.  We think the juxtaposition of Jax's situation with cases in which married or committed people had sex outside their relationships purely by choice will really make this story hit home. 

We were putting the final touches on those scripts and the ad campaign this week, which is what caused those sounds that apparently created some concern.  We're all fine, though -- fantastically self-satisfied and some might say deliriously happy, in fact.  So we appreciate everyone's interest and hope they'll tune in during sweeps, when we'll try to create a new bottom to scrape, by exploring how domestic violence can be hilarious and sexy, and why people are really way too reactionary about forcing toddlers to walk barefoot on hot coals."

Comments

[Kevin September 01, 2007 at 09:46 AM]

Your writing is so clever, your satire so sharp and apt, that I read it despite never having watched a single day of General Hospital in all my life. Keep it up!

[Melissa September 01, 2007 at 10:46 AM]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this. I used to love GH....now, its just a bizarre vehicle for Guza to promote his Mary Sues and live out his violent fantasies against woman and now, it appears, successful non-mobbed up men.

It's so sad that a show with such great history and a wonderful cast has become the personal playground of some truly warped minds.

[September 01, 2007 at 11:30 AM]

That was brilliant, Becca. Now THAT's something I'd like to see in Soap Opera Digest! I know it'll never happen, but this is the kind of thing TIIC need to read in order to really see what they're putting out there when they write storylines like this.

*thinking I'd better shut up now since I happen to love EJ and Sami on Days...*

[monika September 01, 2007 at 12:44 PM]

Really, really fine writing here...There is very little moral ambiguity left on the show, it would seem GH writers are intent on turning the "good vs evil" paradigm on its head by making evil the new good. I am kind of shocked at how many threats of assault and death were made on the show in the past few days...like this is the only way to solve problems? Particularly when there is a war going on in Iraq, in which some characters are supposed to have fought in... The senseless brutality and loss of life on both sides of this tragic clash of civilizations is thus trivialized by the show, who might try trailblazing daytime television in becoming advocates for peace and discussion as part of a solution.

And rape is rape is rape. This shit wouldn't fly if the genders were reversed in this ridiculous storyline. Did we laugh when Elizabeth was raped? Seriously? I am contemplating not watching the show anymore. I don't want such desensitization and callousness to rub off on me.

Sorry for the extra long rant...

[Brie September 01, 2007 at 12:46 PM]

This is brilliant! I can't even fathom how the showrunners think this storyline is anything any person who watches GH would want to see. By the way, your observations are about the only thing that makes GH tolerable (because it confirms that someone sees what I see in the show.)

I'm thinking there's another entry for the worst character in daytime. (Not that I think anyone can compete with Babe or Sonny- and it's so hard to choose between the two. Maybe a runner-up award.) Look what Carly has going for her. (Using your +/- system.)

- blamed Jax for his own rape
- brought creepy Michael into the GH world
+ brought adorable Morgan into the GH world (BIG demerit: Morgan's introduction was on the receiving end of "bullet of love")
- Wanders around in hideous outfits, often without a bra
+ currently has fab hair
- somehow turned herself into the victim of Jax’s rape
- yells at a lot of people A LOT
- cheated on Jax with Sonny and blamed it on Jax leaving/not understanding the hostage crisis
- married Sonny multiple times
- has become Lulu’s confidant, and as such, is essentially turning Lulu into a mini-Carly
- her introduction on the GH canvas lead to the ruin of both Tony Jones and AJ Quatermaine. (there are actually plenty of entries here, but my hands would get fatigued from all the typing)
- feels betrayed by Jax’s rape

Obviously, I could continue on, but this is just off the top of my head and I didn’t watch GH for a good seven years of her time onscreen.

[Kat September 01, 2007 at 02:26 PM]

WOW! what a brilliant read. I've been so disgusted with GH for the last few weeks in regards to this Carly betrayal/Jax "cheating" storyline but your column did make me feel a bit better. I was sure that I must have been getting the only feed of GH where Jax was sexually assaulted. Carly's reaction to Jax's ordeal sickens me and although I've never been a fan of the character I think this is her all time low. Thank you for expressing wonderfully the frustration and disgust of this bottom of the barrel storyline. I wish the people in charge and mags could see this but I doubt they'd care. Thanks Again!

[Sarah September 01, 2007 at 02:57 PM]

I need to see national anti rape and rape survivirs groups protest GH/ABC/TIIC and have it be on all the news programs and entertainment news programs.

There should be widespread disgust in the media for rape being handled this way. They could have just beat Jax and tortured him, but nooooooo they added rape too. But then made a joke of it for ther holy mobsters to laugh at?!?!?!?! WTF!

Between this and NS's shame of trying to portray racism, etc....w/ no intelligence, quality, or accuracy I say no HIV+ pregnancy story for Robin. They are too stupid to handle it decently let alone well.

GH and TIIC have sunk to new pathetic lows and need to be called out on it, publicly! They must be forced to apologize and make huge personal donations to rape survivirs groups!!!!!!

[September 01, 2007 at 02:59 PM]

Though I fully appreciate that this is satire, I still had a couple moments where I felt a bit nauseous reading this. I think that's because I can actually imagine TIIC thinking some of the things you wrote.

In my humble opinion, they have thoroughly scraped through the bottom of the barrel and now are digging into whatever is below the barrel.

[LeatherJacket September 01, 2007 at 03:18 PM]

You slay me. I love this blog. I want CarJax to go to a therapist (NOT Lainey!) to work out his "infidelity" and I want said counselor to look at Carly like she has three heads and seven arms and say "He was RAPED, you shrieking harpy!" and then I want the same non-Lainey therapist to look at Jax and ask, in all seriousness, "Why in the name of all that's holy did you marry this self-absorbed shrew?" Sadly, I think you're wrong about GH having scraped the true bottom of the barrel. I believe there is lots more slimy, oozy, disgusting crap yet to be mined from the Guza/Korte Barrel o' Crap.

[Lynda September 01, 2007 at 03:55 PM]

I'm very digusted how they writting Jax rape.
Jax did NOT CHEATED ON Carly. This writting is sleazy. Now they have Jax cheated on Carly. When it Jax was RAPE. If they write this kind of story. Write it responaable have follow up. Don't write this crap now follow through.

Somebody NEED to be FIRED for this crap of Writting.

[nicole September 01, 2007 at 04:12 PM]

you are so right, sarah. if only i knew how to organize something like that. the way they've twisted this storyline sickens me! i know it's just a soap, but it's outrageous and completely irresponsible on the writers' part. it's just plain disgusting.

[monika September 01, 2007 at 04:47 PM]

This may be a silly suggestion, but perhaps we could write to the network and express our anger? If this many people responded to one fantastic blog entry, consider how many more outraged GH fans are out there, bemoaning the loss of what was once a delightful, almost socially responsible show...If we all do some internet snooping and find out where we can address our concerns to, let's post it here and get started! Silence is too much like complicity!

[monika September 01, 2007 at 04:58 PM]

Me again...Have just done some snooping...here is a link to General Hospital Contact Info:
www.tvmegasite.net/day/gh/ad.shtml

It also includes the addresses of the soap opera magazines that allow for viewer opinions.

Hope this does something!

[Deborah J. Reyes September 01, 2007 at 05:11 PM]

Fabulous beyond words. Since we are destined to the umpteen-jillionth mob war for September sweeps - I thought you might someday want to compare GH's lame attempt to borrow from the movie 'The Departed.' In The Departed, there were two young police cadets - one got bounced before he went to work because he had family and friends who had been involved in the mob and his police buddies wanted him to infiltrate the mob for them. The second cadet had no visible ties to the mob but really was under the thumb of the mob boss himself and was ratting out his brother cops to the mob boss every time they turned around. The upshot of the story was that the cop who had infiltrated the mob remained true to his police officer buddies - BUT - and I won't spoil the ending for those who have not yet seen that particular movie.

Of course, in my estimation, The Departed was just an attempt to imitate the Donnie Brasco story of REAL FBI Agent Joe Pistone - who is the only KNOWN agent to successfully infiltrate the mob. The Donnie Brasco movie was based on Joe Pistone's books about his life as an undercover police officer.

NOW - don't know if I will be able to pass this link along to you, but the following link involves an incident in the Donnie Brasco movie which pretty much shows just exactly what REAL mobsters are really like. In recent interviews with the Natioinal Geographic Channel about some of his books, Joe Pistone confirmed that incidents such as the one shown in this film clip happened MANY times while Pistone was undercover with the mob. Warning here - this clip is NOT for the squemish!

FOLLOWING the clip of REAL life mobsters in action, is a film clip from GENERAL HOSPITAL - during March of 2005, Sonny ordered Jason and their assorted mob-henchmen to massacre the entire Sandoval family while the Sandovals were enjoying a family celebration at the Metro Court. Sonny ordered that, not only the Sandoval family but ALL innocent bystanders who might be witnesses - including cooks, cashiers, dishwashers, waiters and waitresses as well as any hotel employees or guests who happened to wander past the scene of the massacre were ALSO to be murdered! The Metro Court Massacre on GH in March of 2005 aired just FOUR days after a school shooting in Minnesota claimed TEN lives. The date of GH's Metro Court Massacre was just THREE WEEKS prior to the anniversary of the shooting tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado. When Wendy Riche accepted the Emmy award for General Hospital in 1999, in her Emmy acceptance speech, Riche pledged 'programming that will make a difference' in the wake of the Columbine tragedy. The MOST frightening aspect of all of this is that The Metro Court Massacre of March 2005 really and truly IS what TIIC at GH genuinely believe IS 'programming that will make a difference!'

What is important here is that JOE PISTONE - the REAL FBI agent who successfully infiltrated the mob - remained LOYAL to his police officer buddies throughout his time in the mob and NEVER turned on his police officer buddies! The reason WHY General Hospital could NEVER successfully lift a story line like this is, because, on General Hospital - BOTH the supposedly clean cut police cadet who was ratting his buddies out to the mob AND the slightly tarnished cadet who had been chosen to infiltrate the mob -- would BOTH turn on their police officer buddies in a mili-second in order to bow down and kiss the feet of the great mob boss, Sonny Corinthos and Sonny's Holy Hit Man, Jason!

Now, without further adieu - a chance to compare the REAL mobsters known to Joe Pistone - to Sonny and Jason -- as BOTH the REAL mobsters AND Sonny and Jason wipe out a rival gang! Remember, the dramatization of the REAL stuff is NOT for the squemish - and you have to watch to the end of the clip to see what the difference is between Sonny and Jason and REAL mobsters!

DONNIE BRASCO - PART 11 - REAL FBI Agent Joe Pistone exposes the inner workings of the REAL mob - which Pistone successfully infiltrated. Pistone's undercover investigatiion led to the downfall of MANY serious mobsters. At NO time did Pistone EVER betray his fellow police officers in order to kiss the feet of the local mob boss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONUiK3sBL5M

METRO COURT MASSACRE - March, 2005 -- GENERAL HOSPITAL --
JAX saves COURTNEY after Sonny orders that innocent bystanders who might be witnesses should be murdered as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7a6-i4OVZI

[zarathelawyer September 01, 2007 at 06:14 PM]

Fantastic Becca, as usual. And right on point.

[True September 01, 2007 at 06:19 PM]

THANK YOU.

I flipped on Soapnet yesterday just as Jason was telling Jax he'd slept around on Carly.

I flipped the TV off immediately. Disgusting.

[Devoted September 01, 2007 at 06:35 PM]

I have never enjoyed reading anything more than your comments. I thought I was crazy to think many of the things you wrote. I wanted to throw up when Carly started blaming Jax for being raped. Then stupid Jason chimes in...and if THAT WASN'T enough..stupid Lulu adds her two cents and calls out Jax for leaving town. The writers really are terrible. No joke. This "made up" love story between Jason and Liz is also a joke....especially since it has destroyed all characters involved...particularly Sam. What do they want fromt his poor girl already? It's nuts. In addition, I like Spinelli...but to have him as Jason's right had man is a ridiculous scenario. All in all...gh is not the soap it used to be, and I for one can't take it anymore.
Thank you for your clever words of wisdom.

[Liz September 01, 2007 at 07:39 PM]

Bob also wanted to lighten things up a bit by throwing a little humor in, so he had Jason and Carly giggle at the idea that Jax could have been forced into having sex with Irina.

I'm glad I missed that. I just saw where Carly accused Jax of cheating on her and then got pissed when Jax mentioned her cheating on him. Which was enough to turn me off of Carly forever.

Then I read TV Guide and someone ranted that other people were so outraged at Jax's rape but never express the same outrage when it's a woman. And you know why? Because more often than not soap operas portray rape of women with a healthy dose of sensitivity, reality, and intelligence. In other words, NO RAGING HARPIES ACCUSING THEM OF CHEATING WHEN THEY'RE STILL BLEEDING.

[Becca September 01, 2007 at 08:02 PM]

Thanks so much, everyone! This was possibly my most cathartic post ever. It was either this or construct a dummy of Bob Guza (redundancy alert!) in order to burn it in effigy. My choice was clear, because the construction involved in the latter option could have caused me to break a nail, not to mention I have no idea where to buy a sharkskin suit and bolo tie.

LeatherJacket, unfortunately I think you're right that there's worse to come. I try to stay spoiler-free, but I've read in comments here and somewhere else online that the sweeps stunt for November is a mob war? Seriously?! Do you need any more evidence that ABC Daytime is seriously broken than that they looked at GH and said "You know what we need more of? Violence!" Jesus.

That last all-caps bit should have been the title of my post, Liz! I didn't see that TV Guide article, but as terrible as it sounds, I'm less outraged by the assault itself (I'm boycotting the r-word because I think soaps abuse it) than I am by the "Jax cheated" spin. Broken. Brokenbrokenbroken.

[Devoted September 01, 2007 at 08:13 PM]

Jax is one of the higher class characters on gh. He should pack his bags and leave. Kelly Monaco was brought on gh as a skank, con artist, blah, blah, blah. They built her up to be in some very good and well-acted scenes. Now BOTH characters are like cartoon characters. They should both get out while they can. I happen to think both of them are very good actors...and need better material. period.

[Beltane September 01, 2007 at 08:30 PM]

Becca, I bow down to your brilliance!!! My outrage at this storyline knows no bounds but I can't express it with the perfect amount of snark and disgust that you do.

I agree with many of the other posters who think that GH should be called out by the soap and mainstream media for this travesty. Since when did male rape equate to "sleeping around" and something to be giggled at? I'm pretty sure society as a whole, has
progressed far beyond that type of sophomoric thinking but apparently, GH showrunners have not.

[Nancy September 01, 2007 at 08:47 PM]

What a great blog!! I was so disgusted seeing Carly turn her husband's rape into cheating. On One Life To Live, Todd was shot,kidnapped and held prisoner and raped and his fiance Blair handled it beautifully. He was ashamed and couldn't tell her at first, and when he did she completely supported him. But not our Carly, oh no. Then when she and Jason were laughing about it later, I could not believe it.
I especially got mad when Jason was yelling at Jax for putting his brother ahead of Carly....WHAT?? Jason puts Sonny and the mob life ahead of EVERYTHING, including maybe having a life with the woman he loves and their baby. Who is he to judge!
I loved what you said about the mob being the shows moral core. I remember when Luke first got into the mob, fell in love with Laura and wanted to get out and be a better man. He stole the mob bosses "black book" to give to the cops, risked his life and they both when on the run together.Finally they got rid of the bad guys, came back to PC and that's why the whole town celebrated their wedding because they were heroes for GETTING RID OF THE MOB. Not joining them! Oh for the good old days.

[MichelleinPa September 01, 2007 at 09:25 PM]

I'm so happy you wrote this - if for no other reason then it gives us all a sort of public forum to express our outrage and disgust

Here are some statics on male rape and the contact info for the National Center for Victims of Crime if anyone would like to write them (and see what THEY think of this nauseating portrayal of male rape. I know that I will be writing tiic (for all the good it does) and let them know that I'll be cc'ing the Center in as well:

sorry in advance for using this as a mini-psa

Rape crisis counselors estimate that while only one in 50 raped women report the crime to the police, the rates of under-reporting among men are even higher (Brochman, 1991). Until the mid-1980s, most literature discussed this violent crime in the context of women only. The lack of tracking of sexual crimes against men and the lack of research about the effects of male rape are indicative of the attitude held by society at large -- that while male rape occurs, it is not an acceptable topic for discussion.Much has been written about the psychological trauma associated with the rape of female victims. While less research has been conducted about male rape victims, case research suggests that males also commonly experience many of the reactions that females experience. These reactions include: depression, anger, guilt, self-blame, sexual dysfunctions, flashbacks, and suicidal feelings (Isley, 1991). Other problems facing males include an increased sense of vulnerability, damaged self-image and emotional distancing (Mezey & King, 1989). Male rape victims not only have to confront unsympathetic attitudes if they choose to press charges, they also often hear unsupported statements from their friends, family and acquaintances (Brochman, 1991). People will tend to fault the male victim instead of the rapist. Stephen Donaldson, president of Stop Prisoner Rape (a national education and advocacy group), says that the suppression of knowledge of male rape is so powerful and pervasive that criminals such as burglars and robbers sometimes rape their male victims as a sideline solely to prevent them from going to the police.

National Center for Victims of Crime
2000 M Street NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036

Phone: (202) 467-8700
Fax: (202) 467-8701

[Ex-GH Watcher September 01, 2007 at 09:42 PM]

I have been so offended by Jax's rape storyline that I have become an Ex-GH viewer. I will always remember Jax, a rape victim telling Carly that he was raped by Irina and her response:

"You managed to perform so well that you left her wanting more."

That is what Carly said to a rape victim. Carjax is a couple that should have been officially over after that line came out of Carly's mouth. That is one couple that needs to end without ever having the possibility of a reunion.

[fan September 01, 2007 at 10:00 PM]

Jax is sitting in front of his "wife" bloodied, tied up, scraped, bruised...and it's all about Carly. I could not believe it! Then when Carly and Jason snickered...I litterly yelled at my tv...and screamed "you are kidding me". The character of Carly is so obnoxious and disgusting, I can hardly stand to watch her in a scene. Jason is just as intolerable to me. The entire soap is disgusting now. There isn't one single couple that is happy and genuine. It's just terrible. Jason, to me, is the worst of them all. He's into everyone's business, and all he needs is a cape with a bit "J" on the front with his hands on his hips.

[Cori September 01, 2007 at 11:27 PM]

You know what would be a good, logical storyline to spring from this (I know logic and GH, but bear with me here). Have Liz find out about Jason's reaction to Jax's rape and tear Jason a new one. Remind him that his beloved baby sister was raped. Hell, Lucky could grow a couple of brain cells and remind Lulu that his wife and mother were raped and that it is no laughing matter.

But we know that won't happen. What we'll more likely see is Liz show some sympathy for Carly's "plight." At which moment everything that was good and loved about Elizabeth Webber Spencer will have died. Among other things.

[Lynda September 02, 2007 at 12:13 AM]

Hey ya'll should send this to JFP & Guza. Show them how digusted WE are about this storyline. Tell them rape is NOT a laughing matter. It the can't write it respondenable
storyline than don't put them on TV.

[Deborah J. Reyes September 02, 2007 at 01:17 AM]

Well, you COULD send all of this reaction to JFP. But -- I can see it all now -- JFP, Guza, etc. will just sputter : "But, but, but - you ALL think it is CUTE when Sonny and Jason get away with MURDER time after time after time! If you all are OK with wholesale slaughter and new murders every other day - how could WE know that you would draw the line at a little thing like rape??????? After all - Jax IS still alive! So far, NONE of GH's murder victims have lived through the experience! And you ALL are OK with that! We are SO mystified by all of this!"

Sincerely, Deborah

[Ex GHer September 02, 2007 at 09:15 AM]

Bravo for saying what I've wanted to say but in a much cleverer (is that a word?) way.

[Michelle September 02, 2007 at 10:54 AM]

Perhaps it's time to move up from the Head of Daytime, to say the Head of the Network. I don't know....all the letter writing to JFP, Frons, Guza, et al is completely useless as time and time again they show everyone just what they think about their "fans". In fact I think I saw them flip the bird our way years ago and never look back.

I hear all the time that the numbers for the mobtaculars is off the charts, but I wonder how true that can be. I mean honestly, even their favorite characters are being written like sh*t. Carly is a self riteous, self-entitled shrew, Sonny is a shell of his former self and Jason is just an infidelitous lech. Don't even get me started on the whiny, hipocracy that is Sam.

Powerful characters/families with historical significance like Alexis & the Cassadines, Jax, Robin & the Scorpios, The Q's and The Spensers all languish in this nonchalant oblivian while we see mob-war number four million in which new characters we give absolutely no sh*t about are placed in hours of episodic tv while our favorites get ten minutes a month.

But I digress....so I call out and ask....Sonny/Carly/Jason/Liz/Sam fans what is it that is working so well for you that keeps these characters on top? Cause as a person who actually used to LOVE some of them and tuned in to watch only them I just don't see it.

[Roxiebell September 02, 2007 at 11:10 AM]

Bravo, good column about whats wrong with GH I don't think for a second that GH's bottomless "pit" of a storyline barrel has scrapped the bottom though. That pit goes all the way to China.

The only thing missing from your article is the IRONY that Jax is actually culpable for the crime committed against him! If it wasn't so hedious it would be hilarilous.

Anybody harboring Jerry (which appears to be most of PC) is culpable of any crime committed by him, or in his name as Irina has done, so its like what can you do really when PC seems to inhabited by a bunch of "Night of the living DUMB" residents?

I don't think Jax is going to RUN to the feds and turn his brother in, so its like lets just "sit back" and speculate on who Jerry's "next" victim will be. Lets have a lottery on who is next to be shot, poisoned, raped or murdered so I definately take "pause" in offering any sympathy for Jax or even Jerry's past victims like Robin & Nikolas for that matter. Whats the point really? No one will do anything about it.

[former fan September 02, 2007 at 11:20 AM]

Once again, the characters of Carly and Jason are the "victors"...or at least the writers this so. NOT TRUE! They are so low in my book, I cannot stomach them. Who made Jason God? Who made Carly the "queen" of what's right and wrong. Really ... a joke. There are so many different ways this story could be going that would be touching and believable. Right now, all I want to do is tune out. Which is what I do! There was a really good opportunity to show what REAL people would do with a storyline such as Jax's experience. But no, instead...the writers mocked it. Made it a "laughing" matter between Jason and Carly. Carly reminds me of the girl on the school grounds who bullied all the other kids. Jason reminds me of the guy all the girls lusted after and wasn't worth dirt. I could go on..but, what's the use. GH, the way I remember it, is gone. It's all about what certain actors want...and GET! Disgusting.

[Sandra September 02, 2007 at 12:32 PM]

The scary thought is that I truly believe that this describes TIIC thought process. I have never been as disgusted with a tv show as I am now with GH. It's mind boggling how ugly and messed up this storyline. How did this plot actually progress to the screen without anyone realizing how screwed up it is?. Ditto for promos about Jax betraying Carly. Does everyone at GH and ABC daytime live in an alternative reality where right is wrong and ugly and vile is the new beautiful.

[Lorrie September 02, 2007 at 01:03 PM]

This sick storyline has just confirmed my long-time belief that JFP, Guza, and Frons are all truly and deeply mentally ill or just plain evil. I suppose it's possible that they're just unspeakably stupid, but I don't think there is enough stupid in the world to explain away this storyline.

Every time I try to watch GH again they manage to make the show even more vile than it was before. I will not make the mistake of watching again.

[Liz September 02, 2007 at 05:44 PM]

I didn't see that TV Guide article,
Well it's less an article than a few comments in a yellow box, but it's something.

but as terrible as it sounds, I'm less outraged by the assault itself (I'm boycotting the r-word because I think soaps abuse it) than I am by the "Jax cheated" spin.
I agree. The assault wouldn't have bothered me if they hadn't taken it to the "Jax cheated" place.

[Beth September 02, 2007 at 09:17 PM]

Silly me. Here I was thinking that strange noise I've been hearing all week was my head spinning around from being subjected to the truly stupid words spewing from every character involved in this asinine story.

As a "longtime listener, first-time caller," per se, I have to commend you both on your incredible talent. You have a wit and intelligence about you that far exceeds the shows you write about. Most importantly, you keep in mind the number one thing a lot of online fans should - it's just a TV show! Don't take it all so seriously. Thanks.

I have to say I'm not invested in the Jax s/l, mostly because I'm not invested in these characters, but even my mouth dropped open in disgust more than once this week with some of the dialogue used. I honestly think the show wants us to believe that Jax's "infidelity" is a way to put him on an even keel with Carly for sleeping with Sonny in February. Jax himself is not suffering any ill effects of his violation, never mind anyone that loves him. I think Laura Wright is fabulous, and I have liked Carly much more because of her portrayal, but Carly has disgusted me beyond words this week with the dialogue she's been spewing. And Jason and Lulu? Both of them need to be popped, but good. Yelling at Jax for leaving poor Carly? I believe when Lulu laid into him on Friday is when my head finally exploded.

The show better drop this like a hot potato and pretend like it never happened. It's easy enough to do - remember Soily? The show doesn't either, apparently. Even for a bunch of people who have crossed the line so often that it's a dot to them, I believe they've now created a whole new line. The gutter is now a step up for them.

[Jessica September 02, 2007 at 10:50 PM]

I didn't watch these scenes for obvious reasons (they included Carly) but I got irate just reading your column.

GH sucks, NS sucks, Guza sucks....when will the madness end?

[Ella September 03, 2007 at 04:55 PM]

WE MISSED MORE GLARING HYPOCRISY!!!!!! I just watched more shameful GH from this past week on my DVR. Carly sent Jax to get tested for "filthy" diseases after his "infidelity" w/ Irina. Jax, on the plane, said she used "protection", I assume he was referring to condoms. Don't be shocked, some rapists do so to avoid getting caught by DNA evidence or getting a STD or other reasons known by the rapist. It happens.

Condoms help prevent the spread of alot of STD's, including HIV. But not all. And make no mistake I am all for being tested and retested as a sexually active person. It's the way GH handled this that makes my skin crawl.

And I AM glad he went to get screened for any other possible complications or STDs from his sexual assault. I even hope he has his torture wounds looked at too while he is there. But I doubt it! That would make sense, GH doesn't do that anymore.

HOW DARE CARLY SEND HIM TO GET TESTED LIKE HE WAS AT FAULT AND POSSIBLY RUINING THEIR MARRAIGE BY CHEATING ON HER!!!! He was raped, and even then luckily condoms were used. Even still the hypocrisy not the reality of being tested is what drives me mental.

DID JAX DEMAND SHE GET TESTED AFTER SHE SLEPT W/ SONNY? NO!!!! Another example of Jax's growing stupidity. Carly has never been faithful to anyone ever. She is a rotten cheater whose every pregnancy was unplanned as far as I can recall. She needs testing, lifelong testing. She is as always totally irresponsible when it comes to her life and those she claims to love.

Example # 34,564 Chasing a terrorist to TURKEY and bribing officials? When she should have got thrown in Turkish prison to never be heard from again who was going to raise her "precious boys"?

And look who she cheated with this most recent time, SONNY.

SONNY the saint and moral mob leader of PC. He has knocked up half the town, all surprises. And he sleeps with hookers!!! Remember GH even wrote it out clearly after the CarJax wedding! He has regular dial a whores on speed dial! Amelia and Kate have also been bedbuddies recently. After losing Stone if anyone in PC should be a condom user it's him. But nooooo.......

But Carly doesn't need testing, just Jax. AGH!!!! Fuck off Guza and Phelps! You stupid evil cruel irresponsible unimaginative morons!!!!!!!! How do you keep getting away with this horrible offensive pathetic crap? What network exec. keeps paying you for ruining GH? Does anyone at ABC even watch GH or NS? Are soaps such a lost cause that nobody cares what they air anymore?

And just to kick us when we're down Jax runs into Emily at GH before getting checked out. He apologizes profusely to her for his brother's cruelty and abuse and for his own crime of not seeing the truth and trying to rescue/defend his evil brother Jerry.

Good, Jerry did poison her boyfriend and try to kill him, has her in limbo facing treason charges if his Craig identity is ever discovered/proven, and Jerry is also culpable in her father Alan's death.

So why the hell did she go all Pollyanna and tell Jax not to give up searching for the good in Jerry? She said if Jax gives up on Jerry who else will love/save him from the darkness? (paraphrasing due to my wretching)

Does Emily have a head injury I missed? Or is this more insanity from TIIC, trying to get the viewers to love Jerry, as written by Guza? Pathetic and insulting. Redeeming a character you wrote as pure evil is never gonna happen. It's beyond suspending disbelief, you keep changing history and flipping characters around 180 degrees and expect us to buy it?!?!?! How many mystery pasts have you come up with for Sam??? Over five I think. Ridiculous, remember the one that was a ballroom dancer? What a sad unsuccessful ratings ploy. Many of us never bought that crap with Carly. She is the same lying manipulative user she was when she came to PC to destroy her Mom. At least to alot of loyal GH viewers.

Plus let's not forget, like Guza has for years now, about Robin. Where is Jax's apology to her? Not one mention. GH can't be bothered to remember they are old friends. Or that Robin nearly died because of Jerry. Nah, why bother tying Robin to anyone in PC, even if they are friends and family. Just keep her with Patrick, and for fun turn him into a mean disrespectful dick who treats her, his girlfriend, like a lousy doctor, inadequate woman, and all around loser!

I miss the fabulous hot funny sexy bickering loving Scrubs we were getting to know. Now with NS it's all gone to hell.

And the only thing on GH's horizon is another mob war.

I am a deeply flawed woman. I think my biggest one lately is my inability to drop GH from my life. I keep waiting and hoping for things to turn around. I remember how good it can be, and no matter how awful it gets, I can't forget the potential.

[gh fan September 03, 2007 at 10:30 PM]

Let's face it...this soap now officially sucks. It has the potential to be all that it used to be. The writers really and truly are slapping the fans in the face every single day. Like it or not, if you're a gh fan and you tune in to see if POSSIBLY something good and worthwhile happens...you're disappointed. Day in and day out, the same old stuff...none of which is worth watching. Characters changing behavior before our very eyes...and we sit and watch. The writers don't care. They think we're chumps...and I'm beginning to think they are right. I literally sit down to gh and cringe...waiting for the next insane s/l to make me into a raving lunatic talking to my tv. I can't believe I am still watching this stuff. I guess there are certain characters I still love and waiting for the writers to wake up and say.."hey wait a minute...so and so would never do that"...but that day still never comes. It's the biggest waste of time in the world. All I can say is thank goodness for being able to fast forward MOST of the hour. In the good old days, there were episodes I watched more than once. Now I can barely wait to get through one episode without just shaking my head in disbelief.

[smirks September 03, 2007 at 10:49 PM]

I'm confused. Because it looks and reads exactly like something I would write, but a completely different person wrote it.

Anyway, I've given up completely on GH as of the week before last, but your entry really nicely highlighted at least a few of the reasons why I cannot bear to watch my favourite soap anymore...and without going into the quadrangle of doom! that is Lucky, Liz, Jason and Sam.

Seriously, if this isn't the bottom of the barrel, I don't even want to see what the bottom of the barrel is.

Adios GH, but hello serialdrama! Someone sent me a link today, and I'm definitely going to be bookmarking.

[Horselover September 09, 2007 at 04:56 PM]

I truly thought GH could get no worse and now I see it has. This Jax/rape storyline takes the cake. After almost 30 years of watching this show, I can stomach it no longer. Great job, Frons, Phelps and Guza! You've just turned the only daytime television show that was named to TIME magazine's best shows ever into a depressing, violent, embarrassing mess!

[Kirsten September 12, 2007 at 10:02 PM]

I love what you've written but am reading the posts that follow with a mixture of regret and sympathy. I really love GH but I have to agree with everyone here that this storyline if off the rails.
I know that the GH writers probably won't care but I will write in to let them know that I'm going to stop watching. I've been a fan for many years and have been getting more, and more uncomfortable with the way the writers are handling the "good" bad guys as well as the actual good guys.

*sigh* It's a shame. The character of Jax is being so ill used with this nonsense. What a waste.

[Robert September 13, 2007 at 03:12 AM]

Wow. I thought I was all alone in my sadness over General Hospital's decline. But I'm thrilled to see so many smart women viewers here. I feared that GH made heroes out of criminal scum like Sonny and Jason (and all of their overacting) because women wanted men who are "decisive" and "get things done." Any man on the show who truly has a heart, like Lucky, Jax and Nikolas, are shown to be morons for not drinking the Kool-Aid and worshipping the mobsters.
Has anyone working on GH ever seen The Sopranos? That show knew the mob. Every time the audience developed some affection for the mobsters, we get a glimpse of their greed and power plays do to normal people. Lives are ruined and wiped out. Not on GH. Mobsters are sexy! And then I see these women on the "Super Soap Weekend" clips talking about how much they love their Jason and Sonny. How does the brain get that soft.
Oops. Maybe from watching General Hospital. I've been watching since junior high in the very early 80s. I'm seriously considering dropping the show all together. It's sad. I have so many good memories watching the show and chatting with friends about it. It just seems so twisted morally. (And I'm a lefty, not prone to getting righteous about morality.) But a show where Liz and Jason are star-crossed lovers and Emily is an apologist for every thug, killer and terrorist, thinks are just plain messed up.

Women should be the most insulted. You have female doctors and nurses who love and defend men who make their living killing. It doesn't make sense.

Thanks for the great blog and the brilliant comments. Some of you guys should be writing the show!

Oh yeah. And as a guy, that rape thing really bugged me. Pretty gross treatment of a really serious issue. There's never any counterpoint on the show. Carly and the mobsters are right. Any one who disagrees is wrong.

I guess this is why viewership progressively declines every year.

[Daphne September 19, 2007 at 01:06 PM]

Save GH - sign this petition:

http://www.gopetition.com/online/14267.html

[Phyllis September 21, 2007 at 11:07 AM]

They have just gone too far. The story lines are just too absurd, with Mob hitmen acting as superhuman Surgeryman in an elevator. Sudden unbelieveable changes in the characters of the characters. Mob people setting the moral standards, and being the heros[It amazes me we have a Hired Killer as the leading romantic interest that all the women are fighting for] It is just disgusting. And monotonous storylines[someone ALWAYS has possession of someone elses baby...you can count on it in ANY ABC soap] Its just too silly and boring.

[Ginger October 25, 2007 at 05:12 PM]

Steve Burton's hair is the least of GH's problems right now. GH is sinking like a stone. The way things are going, there won't be anyone around to see how he wears his hair 6 months from now. This show, with arguably the most talented cast in daytime, is currently unwatchable by anyone other than the diehard few. The producing, the writing, the vision for this show have all contributed to its near total destruction. For someone who has watched this show since 1969, I say thank you to all of you who have given me some laughs with this site about a situation that would otherwise be very sad indeed.

[Tammy May 27, 2008 at 09:59 AM]

I think the destruction of GH started after the Metro court Story when they started killing off vets. I have watched this show a long time and felt like I new most of the characters they killed off personaly.The mob itself has never bothered me, but it has become to violent. I do however like the relationship between Jason and Liz, but would prefer they write the story better with less character destruction.