Within hours of the official announcement that CBS was developing The Gates, a new daytime soap opera in conjunction with P&G, and the NAACP, the title was a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) — a true feat that admittedly humbled Michele Val Jean, The Gates showrunner, head writer, and co-executive producer.

Michele Val Jean Addresses Fans

I’m so profoundly touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to #TheGates,” enthused Val Jean in the first of two posts. “What made this announcement especially poignant was it happened on [the late Jacklyn Zeman’s] birthday She would have loved this. #angelspirit

I’m so profoundly touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to #TheGates. What made this announcement especially poignant was it happened on @JackieZeman ‘s birthday. She would have loved this. #angelspirit

— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) March 7, 2024

In an immediate follow-up, Val Jean penned, “To everyone who reached out about #TheGates know that I appreciate you and I’ll get around to liking: responding to your comments so you know I see you But it’s gonna take a minute so be patient. In the meantime know I’m humbled and grateful for your support. Wow. Let’s do this.”

To everyone who reached out about #TheGates know that I appreciate you and I’ll get around to liking:responding to your comments so you know I see you But it’s gonna take a minute so be patient. In the meantime know I’m humbled and grateful for your support. Wow. Let’s do this

— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) March 7, 2024

In addition to the plethora of fan responses, General Hospital’s own Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins) took to X and wrote, “I could not be more proud and excited for my brilliant friend [Michele Val Jean] who may have also just saved the future of daytime dramas.” Who could ask for a better endorsement?

I could not be more proud and excited for my brilliant friend @MicheleValJean who may have also just saved the future of daytime dramas. #TheGates @GeneralHospital #soaps #daytimetv @CBS @NAACP #cbs #naacp pic.twitter.com/Zwd9xeDg7Q

— Jon Lindstrom (@thejonlindstrom) March 7, 2024