Jill Farren Phelps

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

Jill Farren Phelps (born July 7, 1952 in New York City, NY) 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.

1 Strengths
2 Weaknesses
3 Positions held
4 Awards/Nominations
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Strengths

When Phelps arrives at a show, cosmetic set changes are apparent immediately. Since Phelps began as a music supervisor, she usually revamps a show's music. She also focuses on atmospheric lighting and set design.

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 another Daytime Emmy for General Hospital for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005 and 2006.

A list of the actors Phelps favors includes such names as Rick Hearst, Justin Deas, Erika Slezak, Robin Christopher, David Forsyth, John Bolger, Tyler Christopher, Marcy Walker, Jensen Buchanan, Nancy Lee Grahn and Linda Dano.

While at Another World, she improved the key demographic of women 18-49 by 34%.^[1]

[edit] Weaknesses

During her time as executive producer at Guiding Light she fired actress Ellen Parker and killed off her much beloved 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. Many fans believed the show has never recovered from Maureen's death.^{[citation needed]}

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. 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. Phelps stubbornly refused to allow the few weeks vacation, citing contract issues and this subsequently led to Francis quitting General Hospital in order to spend time with her family. Phelps is considered to be the person behind the devastating loss of half of the most famous Supercouple to ever hit daytime drama, Luke and Laura Spencer. This shocking blow to the longtime fans has cost GH millions of viewers who grew up watching nearly 30 years of their beloved Luke and Laura's love story unfold.

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.

[edit] 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 AW, GL or OLTL.

Preceded by Bridget and Jerome Dobson Mary-Ellis Bunim	Executive Producer of Santa Barbara 1987-1991	Succeeded by Paul Rauch
Preceded by Robert Calhoun [1]	Executive Producer of Guiding Light 1991-1995	Succeeded by Michael Laibson
Preceded by John Valente	Executive Producer of Another World 1995-1996	Succeeded by Charlotte Savitz [2]
Preceded by Maxine Levinson [3]	Executive Producer of One Life To Live 1998-2001	Succeeded by Gary Tomlin
Preceded by Pamela K. Long	Head Writer of OLTL (de facto) 1999	Succeeded by Megan McTavish
Preceded by Wendy Riche	Executive Producer of General Hospital 2001-present	Succeeded by incumbent
Preceded by N.A.	EP of General Hospital: Night Shift July 2007 - present	Succeeded by incumbent

GH Crew: HW	On Strike	Producers/Consultant
Garin Wolf	R.G. Jr., Meg Bennett	J.F. Phelps (EP), Mary O'Leary, Mercer Barrows [4], Michelle Henry, Deborah Genovese, Brian Frons

[edit] Awards/Nominations

Phelps was nominated for thirteen Daytime Emmys and won five times (1988-1990; 2005-2006). Her first Daytime Emmy nomination in 1987 was shared with:

Bridget Dobson (executive producer), Jerome Dobson (executive producer), Mary-Ellis Bunim (co-executive producer), Steven Kent (producer), and Leonard Friedlander (producer)