I Think The End Is Near!!!

[louisa]

So, with the latest shake-up at Disney/ABC involving Michael Strahan, "Live" and "GMA", I once again renew my prediction that GH is nearing the chopping block sooner rather than later.

Despite network "party-line" denials, I do believe that GMA is going to expand into another hour (some are even saying 2--that's a lot). I think "Live" and everything else is going to get pushed an hour forward. And since ABC will be yanking an hour back from reluctant affiliates in order to expand GMA, I can see the network giving GH's hour back to the affiliate--bye, bye, GH.

Another scenario could see ABC trying to re-launch "Good Afternoon America" with the popular Strahan & Lara Spencer at the helm for a greater possibility of success. Again, this would involve having to negotiate time with the affiliates & possibly giving an hour (GH's slot) back to them.

Michael Strahan didn't leave a hit show where he was a co-host to just be another person on GMA's panel. They have something bigger planned for him--mark my words. Something tells me that at the end of all of this, GH is going to be the sacrificial lamb. I wasn't sure if ABC wanted to pull the trigger to be the first network with no daytime dramas, but I'm becoming more convinced that they're willing to do it.

Thoughts?

[robertluvsholly]

If GH doesn't pull out of the ratings decline-- I think you're right. They were ready to end GH in the Fall of 2012, when FV and RC managed to pull it out of the tailspin and gain ratings. But since the Fluke(no L&L) and Killing of Duke-- destroying two supercouples instead of reuniting them-- GH hasn't managed to stop the bleeding of ratings. At best, they are treading water.

ABC held off GH cancellation once because of the backlash for canceling two soaps at once. They did plan on sending it to the graveyard in the Fall. I don't think they are afraid of canceling GH at all. As long as they don't have a lot of contracts to pay out at the end.

[louisa]

From what I see on Twitter, etc., the show has no connection to its past. It's like an entirely different show using the name "General Hospital" for recognition. It's obvious the network couldn't care less about the show. The poor actors know that they're on a sinking ship, but are putting on a public game face to champion it.

As for Robert & Holly, what really makes it frustrating is that both Tristan & Emma have been very vocal about wanting Robert & Holly back together and being willing to come back to do it. Tristan is just as vocal(and consistent through the years)about NOT understanding or supporting RnA together romantically. The actors know their characters; I don't know why TPTB won't listen to them.

My only hope (as I know we all hope) is that when GH is cancelled, that they wrap up the loose ends--including Robert & Holly and letting us know that they are together. Believe it or not, Geary even finally said in some interview that he wouldn't rule out an LnL reunion--he just doesn't want them being Ward & June Cleaver. Although I don't really care what happens with LnL, it would be nice if GH's final wrap up would be bringing the primary Supercouples back together.

I'll end here by saying that we have to push like hell for Robert & Holly when the cancellation comes so that they aren't ignored!!

[nicknorascorpio]

It's sad that a show that is called GENERAL HOSPITAL is no longer about the hospital.I remember when Audrey was in charge of the nurses and Steve Hardy ran the hospital.Now it's about a lizard toting doctor,mob rule and unromantic couples who are hooked up as soon as a newbie is brought on.


Robert and Holly were and will always be the exception to the happy marriage is boring profile.They had class,fun,romance and adventure.Couples on the show now fall into the he/she did something wrong so they have to sleep with someone and boom there's the angst.No talking to each other until after they have done the wrong thing.Friendship and loyalty are no longer there,just a circus atmosphere of stories that make no sense and longtime fans are not pleased.


Bringing in newbies and stunt events are not going to keep ratings up.Good,consistent,meaningful storylines that includes all the cast and not just a favored few is a start,but if the rotting boards on the ship GENERAL HOSPITAL are not taken off and replaced,it's going to sink as fast as they are trying to patch it up with Elmer's glue and some popsicle sticks.



Before this happens I would love to see Robert and Holly return one last time with a GOOD story about THEM and not the 500th time Robin is kidnapped.It would be nice to see them on an adventure filled with romance and maybe they would renew their wedding vows and have that happily ever after ending that they so deserve.

[louisa]

May 8, 2016 17:02:42 GMT -5 nicknorascorpio said:

It's sad that a show that is called GENERAL HOSPITAL is no longer about the hospital.I remember when Audrey was in charge of the nurses and Steve Hardy ran the hospital.Now it's about a lizard toting doctor,mob rule and unromantic couples who are hooked up as soon as a newbie is brought on.


Robert and Holly were and will always be the exception to the happy marriage is boring profile.They had class,fun,romance and adventure.Couples on the show now fall into the he/she did something wrong so they have to sleep with someone and boom there's the angst.No talking to each other until after they have done the wrong thing.Friendship and loyalty are no longer there,just a circus atmosphere of stories that make no sense and longtime fans are not pleased.


Bringing in newbies and stunt events are not going to keep ratings up.Good,consistent,meaningful storylines that includes all the cast and not just a favored few is a start,but if the rotting boards on the ship GENERAL HOSPITAL are not taken off and replaced,it's going to sink as fast as they are trying to patch it up with Elmer's glue and some popsicle sticks.



Before this happens I would love to see Robert and Holly return one last time with a GOOD story about THEM and not the 500th time Robin is kidnapped.It would be nice to see them on an adventure filled with romance and maybe they would renew their wedding vows and have that happily ever after ending that they so deserve.

You are absolutely on the mark. Everything you've said is true. 
I loved how in the 80s, we saw the "old guard" vets like Steve, Audrey, Lee, etc. interacting with Luke, Robert and everyone else who made up the "new guard" back then. And those vets weren't props being put out to pasture; they were integral parts of the storylines!! The hospital played a large role in Robert's investigations--he was there all the time following up on stuff! Furthermore, because many of the major characters were doctors or nurses or married/related to one (Alan, Monica, Bobbie, Tony, etc.), a lot of the regular, day to day interactions occurred in the hospital.

It seems like many of the viewers who didn't start viewing until the 90s don't grasp just how much history has been destroyed. It's those of us who became emotionally invested in the early 80s who are appalled at what is happening now. This new regime is trying to create an entirely new show and dangling carrots in the form of an occasional Felicia or Laura sighting. I'm not biting. 

In the 80s, Robert & Holly were the first happily married couple who kept it sexy and fun without ever being boring. They worked through their problems without jumping into bed with some side temptation. They were secure in each other's love & devotion. We NEVER grew tired of Robert & Holly. Tristan Rogers & Emma Samms set out to accomplish what had never been done in daytime at that time, and that was their legacy. It's disgusting to not seeing that legacy being honored.  And like I've said before, I'm only interested in Robert being back if Holly is part of it--and vice versa. It's so stupid that both of these characters have been back numerous times, and we haven't gotten them truly together. 

[lakesgirl]

I know this is probably unpopular but I wish they'd just cancel it already. It's just painful to watch. I can't imagine anyone truly getting enjoyment out of this show. I'm sure there are some bright spots here and there but that can't keep a show afloat forever. We've already seen Sonny defeat his "enemies" time and time again - do we really need to see it again? Just bring in a good show runner to give this half a century old show a nice send off. Give the fans their happy endings. And for goodness sake, reunite Robert & Holly already!!!

[louisa]

May 9, 2016 8:32:40 GMT -5 lakesgirl said:

I know this is probably unpopular but I wish they'd just cancel it already. It's just painful to watch. I can't imagine anyone truly getting enjoyment out of this show. I'm sure there are some bright spots here and there but that can't keep a show afloat forever. We've already seen Sonny defeat his "enemies" time and time again - do we really need to see it again? Just bring in a good show runner to give this half a century old show a nice send off. Give the fans their happy endings. And for goodness sake, reunite Robert & Holly already!!!

Well then, you and I are sitting at the unpopular kids' table together!

If you would have told me 15 years ago that I would be waiting & hoping for GH to be cancelled, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. Now, I find myself every week looking for a sign that ABC is going to put us all out of our misery--and soon.

I'm not knocking those who continue to watch the show. From what I see, a lot of people are actually Hate-Watching it these days. Then there are those who just cannot bring themselves to turn off a show that they have been loyal to for decades. Well, when TPTB started trashing & ignoring the rich history, characters and couples that made GH the Titan that it was for so many years, they lost my loyalty. My only remaining loyalty is to Robert & Holly and seeing them properly wrapped up when the show ends.

I'm with you. I hope that a "Sensitive" show runner is brought in, who will take the time to comb GH's history (or already know it) and know what needs to be addressed in order to end the show positively. If this happens, that person should realize that Robert & Holly were not only poignant characters, but a major Supercouple that needs to be addressed, wrapped up, reunited and sent off TOGETHER. If they would bring Tristan & Emma back at the same time even before cancellation so that we can finally see that RnH is indeed together, even better. But we Robert & Holly devotees can't sit back and let GH leave the air without fighting to get this to happen.

[crazy4zen]

May 9, 2016 8:32:40 GMT -5 lakesgirl said:

I know this is probably unpopular but I wish they'd just cancel it already. It's just painful to watch. I can't imagine anyone truly getting enjoyment out of this show. I'm sure there are some bright spots here and there but that can't keep a show afloat forever. We've already seen Sonny defeat his "enemies" time and time again - do we really need to see it again? Just bring in a good show runner to give this half a century old show a nice send off. Give the fans their happy endings. And for goodness sake, reunite Robert & Holly already!!!

I don't think it's all that unpopular. IMO, GH has been dying a slow, painful death for the last 20 years with a few bright spots in between. Not only is it revolving around Sonny, his posse, and other irrelevant characters but from what I read at various mb, it is also boring. Anyway...for my GH fix, I watch old stuff.

In the GH playing in my head, R&H are reunited and have been for years.