As with the daytime drama, Night Shift has called on some of the parent soap's familiar faces of the past. Tristan Rogers has reprised the role of Robert Scorpio and Antonia Sabato Jr. is back in the role of Jagger Cates, but the difference between NS and GH is in the stories.
Night Shift has two long running arcs this season. One has Rogers' character, Robert Scorpio, battling colon cancer. Rogers is quoted on his MySpace blog as saying, "I cannot imagine Gloria (Monty) ever allowing something like this to take place on her watch." This isn't the '80s any more. Soap audiences hunger for their characters to deal with issues that mirror what they have to deal with, including an ailing parent.
The story is being handled in a way that educates the public on the illness, but they are also finally addressing father/daughter issues between Robert and Robin — issues she's been trying to resolve all by herself on the daytime drama for nearly two years. The second long-running arc of the season focuses on autism. Jagger's young son, named Stone for his brother and Robin's first love who died from AIDS, was diagnosed during the second episode of this season and Jagger has been trying to come to terms ever since.
So, is it the focus on medicine (something naysayers criticize GH for is its mob fascination) or is it the focus on the interpersonal relationships that has made Night Shift a success? I think it's the careful blend of both.
So, while I hope TPTB at GH can reach a deal with Francis that will have her return long term, I'm not sure the vets are all it will take to bring up the ratings. The real key, I believe, is to take a cue from the successor and build storylines that focus on the interpersonal relationships of the characters and their families. It would also help if the stories moved at a quicker pace. It's a faster world we live in, and these shows aren't being watched solely by stay at home housewives anymore. Let's face it, that's a nearly extinct breed. The fans who are watching are recording it while they are at work, or catching the replay on Soapnet; either way, that hour is a precious one and if the show can't hold someone's attention, they're going to turn it off.
While we're making a wish list, why not turn the focus of the show back to the hospital instead of the mob? It's certainly working for Night Shift.
Article comments
1 - Ren
I agree. I love NSII this year. It is such a huge improvement from GH.
2 - Maria
So very well said. I've been watching GH for more than 30 years and I can't stand this mob crap anymore. I hate the way new characters are consistently introduced to support it, yet we can't get Genie back. Is there a way that TPTB can get a copy of this article?
3 - Avalon
I completely agree. Not only is NS2 a vast improvement on GH, but it is a complete turnaround from its first season, which I found to be very disappointing.
I think the difference is that NS2 has a new head writer. Someone who doesn't play favorites, isn't jaded, has fresh ideas, and is a fan of GH and actually LISTENS to fans and gives them what they want. What a concept, huh?
4 - Connie Phillips
Ren, thanks for the comment. Night Shift totally rocks this season! As much as love seeing the vets on GH I wish they Guza and company would take a clue from the Night Shift writing staff and make the stories more personal
5 - Connie Phillips
Maria, I'd too would love to see Genie back full time. It kills me that we won't see any scenes (this time around) with the characters of Luke, Lucky, or Nicholas. The Spencer family is part of the heart and soul of the show, but it's being disregarded as much as the Quatermaine tradition has been ignored and destroyed.
6 - Connie Phillips
Avalon,
What a unique concept indeed. What I would give to see some of the Night Shift stories on the daytime series.
7 - Shauna
Night shift is a lot better than General Hospital for the simple reason that characters drive the plot, the plot doesn't frive the characters. Patrick, Robin & Robert are all staying true to their nature on the NS. The same can't be said for GH, which is the one thing that sets it aprt from its mothership.
8 - putgenieonNS
I would like to see Genie on NS somehow. I'm hoping the show gives her a big storyline and doesn't just take her off again once Lulu is better...
9 - skip
I love Genie Francis. I watch whenever she is on. And by the way. . . she looks so good! Congratulations, Genie, on the weight loss and the role reprisal.