Jill Farren Phelps

:"JFP" can also refer to the Journal of Functional Programming."

Jill Farren Phelps (born July 7, 1952 in New York City Fact|date=August 2008) and has been the executive producer of many American television soap operas: "Santa Barbara" (1987-1991), "Guiding Light" (1991-1995), "Another World" (1995-1996), "One Life to Live" (1998-2001), and currently "General Hospital" (2001-present).

She got her start as a music director on "General Hospital" and later on "Santa Barbara" before she started producing.

Under her watch "Santa Barbara" won 3 Best Drama Emmys in a row (although the first was for material which aired before her arrival). Phelps later won Emmys for "General Hospital" for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

While at "Another World", ratings improved in the key demographic of women 18-49 by 34%.cite news| title=Executive producer of the ABC Television Network’s "General Hospital"|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2007-10-14|url=http://generalhospital.about.com/cs/aboutighi/a/ghproducer.htm]

Criticism

During her time as executive producer at "Guiding Light" she fired actress Ellen Parker and killed off her character, Maureen Bauer. Maureen was generally considered the tentpole character of "Guiding Light," after her mother in-law Bert Bauer passed away in the mid 1980s.Fact|date=August 2008

When she was at "Another World" a serial killer stoyline was played out and popular character Frankie Frame was brutally murdered by the killer, the original victim was Donna Love, but fans revolted and Frankie was chosen instead by Margaret DePriest. During the course of the episode Frankie was stalked and then brutally murdered by an unknown person.

In 2002, when Genie Francis wished to take a few weeks personal time during the summer to travel with her husband, director/actor Jonathan Frakes, Phelps denied Genie's request for time off, citing contract issues. This subsequently led to Francis quitting "General Hospital" in order to spend time with her family.

In October of 2006, Genie Francis returned to "General Hospital" for a four-week stint to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the wedding of Luke and Laura. It was no surprise that the decision to bring Genie Francis back not only significantly increased ratings for GH, but also garnered Ms. Francis her first daytime Emmy. For the Luke and Laura fans, it appeared that the long, four-year debacle that led to the unfortunate departure of Ms. Francis might, finally, be over. Fans immediately began calling the GH hotline daily as well as writing to Jill Phelps, [Brian Frons and Anne Sweeney] expressly demanding the return of this beloved daytime character. In June of 2007, after Ms. Francis won her Emmy, fans mobilized, waging an all-out campaign to return the actress to General Hospital. Operation: Genie’s Angels spent four months battling on behalf of Ms. Francis, who along with Gloria Monty and Anthony Geary, helped saved the once-again embattled soap from cancellation in 1979. While Ms. Phelps appears to have ignored the pleas of fans, the campaign has been recognized by Soap Opera Digest. Yet, Ms. Phelps remains steadfast in her short-sighted refusal to give fans as well as Genie Francis and Anthony Geary what they long for: bringing the daytime icon back to the role of Laura Spencer. Ratings for the former number one rated show continue on a downward spiral under the direction of Ms. Phelps.

Positions held

Upon the arrival of Disney-ABC Television Group President Brian Frons, Phelps reportedly has much less power, at least not resembling her tenure at "Another World (TV series)", "Guiding Light", or "One Life to Live".

Awards/Nominations

Phelps has been nominated for fourteen Daytime Emmys and won six times (1988-1990, 2005, 2006, 2008).

References