‘General Hospital’ News: IT’S OFFICIAL – Ron Carlivati Out As GH Head Writer, Shelly Altman & Jean Passanante New Co-Head Writers

There has been a huge change in regime at ABC’s soap “General Hospital.” Head-writer Ron Carlivati is officially out! Soap Opera Spy reported yesterday that Ron Carlivati had been reportedly fired, all of the signs were there.

Ron is an avid Twitter user, and there hasn’t been any sign of him on social media in over a week. ABC has not been impressed with the steady decline in ratings, which is being put on Ron’s writing – and even the beloved cast member Anthony Geary made it very clear in a recent interview that Ron was no doing the soap opera any favors.

Now, Soap Opera Digest is confirming the rumor, and Ron Carlivati is officially fired from “General Hospital.” Carlivati is being replaced by soap-opera writing team Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante. In an official statement ABC’s Executive Vice President of Current Programming explained, “Shelly and Jean’s combined talents and experiences promise to continue the show’s legacy of compelling storytelling that will resonate with our impassioned viewers. We’re delighted with what they have in store for the show as they continue honoring the rich, diverse environs of Port Charles.”

Hopefully Jean Passanante and Jean Altman can work their soap-writing magic and get Port Charles back on track and save our beloved “General Hospital”’s sinking ratings. Will you miss Ron Carlivati’s writing style? Or are you happy to see him go? Let us know what you think of the huge changes in the comments below! And, don’t forget to check SOS for all of your “General Hospital” spoilers and news!

OFFICIAL ABC ANNOUNCEMENT

SHELLY ALTMAN AND JEAN PASSANANTE NAMED CO-HEAD WRITERS OF ABC’S EMMY AWARD-WINNING DRAMA SERIES “GENERAL HOSPITAL”

Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante were named Co-Head Writers of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning series “General Hospital,” it was announced today by Vicki Dummer, Executive Vice President Current Series Programming. The scribes will take the reins of the network’s long-running drama series starting August 10, 2015.

In making the announcement Dummer said: “We are pleased to welcome back two esteemed writers to our ‘General Hospital’ family. Shelly and Jean’s combined talents and experiences promise to continue the show’s legacy of compelling storytelling that will resonate with our impassioned viewers. We’re delighted with what they have in store for the show as they continue honoring the rich, diverse environs of Port Charles.”

Altman is a multiple Emmy award-winner for her extensive work on soap operas, including “One Life to Live” and “The Young and the Restless.” Prior to her work on serial dramas, Altman wrote for several primetime shows, including “Kate and Allie,” “Counterstrike” and “True Blue.” She is also an accomplished film writer whose credits include the award-winning, “Sweet Lorraine.”

Passanante previously served as head writer and co-head writer for several daytime dramas, including “The Young and the Restless,” “All My Children” and “As the World Turns.” She has won four Daytime Emmy awards, six Writer’s Guild awards and five GLAAD media awards. Passanante also has an extensive theatre background, having served as administrator of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwright’s Conference and artistic director of New Dramatists and New York Theater Workshop, among many other creative roles.