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GH's Head Writer Ron Carlivati On The Difficult Decision Of How To Craft Robin's Exit!

Photo Credit: Steven Bergman

As everyone is watching Kimberly McCullough’s (Robin) six month return to General Hospital come to its inclusion on-air, so much has been said and commented about as to the decision of just how to write out Robin, but to somehow still leave the door open for another return, especially after telling her heroic journey back to the arms of her husband, Patrick (Jason Thompson) and her daughter, Emma (Brooklyn Rae Silzer)!

In a new piece out on in the current issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now (make sure to pick it up!), GH head writer, Ron Carlivati explains the difficult process he went through in figuring out just how to write the beloved character out, in light of the fact she just reunited with her family.  The head scribe also relates how they came to the decision to have Robin leave Port Charles to go save Jason.  Here is an excerpt!

Carlivati offered up on Robin’s exit story:  “We talked through every possible story of why she would leave the canvas, why Patrick will stay, versions where Patrick would not stay.  There was an issue with every one.  All of them had their negatives.  Every one was, ‘Why would she leave her daughter? Why would she leave her husband?  If she doesn’t go willingly, why would he give up looking for her?  Or what if she died?’  Ultimately, I had to make the final decision along with Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) and the network and ultimately, this was the one that all three parties – the network, Frank and I – agreed would be, if not the best, then maybe the most palatable.”

So trying to put yourself in the head writers shoes, do you understand the difficulties in trying to make Robin’s exit story make sense and work under constraints of Kimberly’s limited time with the series, and wanting to still keep the character alive?  Do you think having Robin going off to save Jason makes the most sense, given those two characters history with each other?  Comment below!

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I think he did the best thing with what he had to work with. The bigger question is why bring her back at all, knowing she was only going to stay a few short weeks? If she were coming back for 6 months or more, I could better understand.

She hasn’t been back for a few weeks, she has been back for five months and she said it was supposed to be six months. Why bring her back? Ratings. It’s that simple. To get ratings, you need characters that General Hospital fans want to see. What GH fans want are the vets. Cartini increased ratings initially because fans who left heard that their favorites were coming back. Laura, Felicia, Lucy, Anna, Duke, Robert, Scotty etc. The problem is what Cartini did with them. The stories were not centered around them and their screen time was sacrificed for Howarth, Easton, Alderson, Castillo, West and Devry. Their characters are not enough to drive viewership.

It seems like they brought Robin back almost grudgingly. Knowing that their creations are not enough, they needed her, but then gave us a disappointing story. Her returm was told from Sabrinas POV and her exit is less than flattering to the character. Mr. Carlivati can justify the exit story all he wants and can bring the “network” into it, but I don’t buy it. The task was to create a story to take KMC off canvas for a while. There were endless possibilities. Would the “network” have objected to the following story?

Robin’s research and cure for polonium poisoning could yield other treatments that the government needs and she is pressed into service. She is sent to a top secret research facility to continue her work or sent to Afghanistan to treat soldiers. It’s not about Jason. She is not just abandoning her family and she is making a sacrifice for a greater good. But of course, that scenario wouldn’t make her character look bad and question her commitment to her husband and child. There is an obvious agenda at work here and it is mindboggling how TPTB think that the show benefits from it.

And even sticking with the Victor, Frozen family/Jason scenario, why make her a willing participant? Carlivati says “If she doesn’t go willingly, why would he give up looking for her?” How about because he knows where she is? Victor threatens her loved ones and they both make the decision that she needs to go. Is that so hard to come up with? Again, agendas. And now we are on the excuses tour.

I am with you fans……I hope Robin brings back Michael Muhney to play the new Jason. He looks and acts more like Steve Burton than any other actor I can think of, except perhaps Billy Miller. But for Robin to leave GH again to help save some of the Cassadines, I would also like to see Helena revived. She had a love/hate relationship with Luke which helped to make GH more exciting and interesting. We need more of the really good acting VETS returned to PC to keep GH high in the ratings!!!! So Bring on the Good Old Gang…or at least some of the good old gang…and I will have my faith restored in GH!! !! . Thanks GH Writers!!!

Your scenario is 1000 times better than what they wrote. and why would she ever believe victor?They can make anyone in a video look like Jason with tricks . And Robin was hardly on the screen during 5 months. How many family scenes were there? How many talks with Emma? How many true moments with her friends? She barely had any screen time. I thought the story line stank. And why bring her back for the short about of screen time and reason for leaving, as you said, which harms the character. What will they do with Patrick til she is ready to return? The character is in a no win limbo. As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, “Dumb, dumb.”

Why would Robin just believe Victor? Now you’re straying off topic and trying to apply logic to the stories. The simple answer is that for Cartini, advancing plot points is primary and logic is secondary.

Why would Robin believe Victor? Why would she believe that he is the head of the WSB? Something so secret her parents don’t know about it? Here’s some more. Why can’t Lulu and Dante connect the dots from the missing/destroyed embryos to baby Ben? He has Dante’s DNA. Britt is a known liar when it comes to matters of paternity? It wouldn’t dawn on a functioning human that maybe she just didn’t use the sperm but took the embryos? It wouldn’t hit you immediately? But of course to get to this ridiculous point, they had to take the word of Brad, also a known liar, that the embryos were destroyed by Ellie and they never even called her to confirm. Speaking of paternity, Scotty just takes crazy Lucy’s word for it that Franco is his son? He doesn’t ask for a DNA test? Really? How about the pharmacist ID’s Silas and both he and Sam forget that Silas had a brother who looked just like him, who happened to be a serial killer. You know, the reason that when Sam first saw Silas she flipped out.

You see, now we’ve graduated from the topic of why Robin’s exit is so poorly written to the much larger problem of how poorly the entire show is written.

I agree on all points…looking back, I guess it HAS been 5 months…it just SEEMED like a few weeks 🙂 I’ll keep watching what ever they do. I’ve been watching since the 60’s when it started (with my grandma) and we’ve gone through many periods where the writing was less than stellar. I’m just glad it’s still on 🙂

Sorry meant Scotty taking Crazy Heather’s word for it. But of course he might as well just take Lucy’s word for it too, or just any random person on the street for that matter.

I like your example. It makes sense…

Bring back Frisco and Todd

I hope on her search to find Jason, she brings back Michael Muhney!!

I had the exact idea!! He is brilliant as an actor!!

I totally hope the same thing. Bring Michael Muhney as Jason!

Or Billy Miller.

I agree with you all Michael Muhney would be great as a Jason recast or even billy miller either would be great since steve burton decided to stay with
y&r even though his storyline is so boring and the role does not fit him at all
its just my opinion

I agree! Michael Muhney would be Awesome in the role.

I agree 100% they need to grab him or billy miller before another soap does

I hope you’re all kidding in response to the one out of three options the writers could come up with and Kimberly taking time out of her career path to grace us with her presence on GH.

I would hope that Frank & Ron care more about the female characters and actresses than to hire someone that was fired for inappropriate & unwanted behavior. I don’t care how good an actor MM is, he has done this more than once and deserved what he got

He has so many women friends that say that never would have happened. Where is the proof, where is the evidence? Where is the police report? Then I will believe. Ego, yes (get him some counseling!!!) then put him back on the screen.. Groping… I do not believe!!!

Ron and Frank are very talented and I l’ve really at appreciated so much of their work on GH. But this choice just doesn’t feel right. They should have looped in some threads about Jason from the beginning and also shown that Robin had become obsessed with her scientific work, maybe even showing some possible psychological damage from her two years of captivity and history with her parent’s crazy lives. The exit story just hasn’t worked on so many levels. Robin has a lot of situational, emotional and psychological reasons why she would make some weird decisions but they didn’t pave the way for any of this. It’s been very jarring on top of the fact that they’ve jumped the shark recently with Victor as head of WSB, Obrecht as Chief of Staff and Freddy Kruger/Heather stalking Port Charles. It seems that Ron and Frank have lost some of their mojo in 2014 because Jan and Feb have not been stellar months overall; although there have been fantastic moments, both acting and storywise. The show is overshadowed by the high camp and silly dialogue. I’ve found myself tuning into Days more with my limited time because it’s more evenly paced and while parts are absurd; it still tugs at the heartstrings. GH has been too cute by half.

PALATABLE???? Are you effin kidding me??? They decided the MOST PALATABLE would be for her to ABANDON HER DAUGHTER to save Jason. That is the BIGGEST load of crap I have ever heard. We just saw a woman who fought TWO YEARS to get back to her family and now I am supposed to believe a character I have watched for 30 years would abandon her daughter.

This is the biggest trash story I have ever seen. This is nothing but trying to destroy Robin in order to make Sabrina a viable character. I am not stupid. Stop treating me like I am.

This is why I quit watching. I hope others do the same.

Viewers get no respect. I notice we (viewers) were left out of the oh so difficult decisions on storyline. No respect for the viewers means no entertainment value to me. Yep, when Kimberly McCullough (Robin/Scrubs) leave so will I. I will watch GH again when she comes back. Hopefully the writers/producers/network will do right by viewers. Respect.

That’s bull. Robin invented the cure for Polonium poisoning. Job offers from all over the world would believably be coming in. She could easily have gotten one and moved or gone on tour lecturing/constantly been at medical conferences (like Monica was for much of Guza) and been an off canvas presence like Audrey is for Liz or Leslie is.

RC is full of crap. He wanted a story which would make Sabrina look good. He got it. He should just be upfront about it.

His lost. Viewers Gain. By GH. Hello Y&R. We know that what they did. Want to give the s/l to Sabrina. Patrick is too old for Sabrina. Fair tale kid

They shouldn’t have brought her back if Kimberly wasn’t willing to make a long-term commitment to the show. It was easier to stomach Patrick with Sabrina when he thought Robin was dead, but now there just is no good reason for her to leave her family.

Amen!

I think it was the best way under the circumstances. You can’t keep having her kidnapped… we don’t want her to die… saving Jason is the next best thing! Since she is next door at Greys… she should be able to shoot phone calls or Skype sessions… you would think? RC did a great job!!! Tough circumstances!!! How he handles Patrick and Emma… now is very important!!! Hope it’s good RC!!!

yea. To but Sabrina in. Guess you are a team Sabrina. Not me, I have been watching GH for 40 years. No more. Will continue to watch only when Kimberly comes back and only when she is on canvas.

She already been kidnapped . You go somewhere and do not know where you are going just crazy. That crazy writing. I know its soap but write it with a meaning. Make it look real.

Better solution, but she should of stayed a little longer..as much as i like Kimberly and the character. Robin needs to be recast just as Lulu was, if she is going to be moving on with directing..its not fair to the fans this back and forth stuff and it was disappointing that she didn’t stick around a little longer with her family.

Rebecca Budig( Greenlee AMC ) recast as Robin would work for me.

I agree, Rebecca would be a good choice. So would Melissa Archer from OLTL.

Kimberly McCullough IS Robin Soltini Scorpio Scorpio-Drake. It’s on the supposed writers to be talented enough to craft great storylines! It is not KMc’s fault. There are too many dramatic, reasonable ways to explain Robin being off-screen for periods at a time. Blame and hold the GH writers, producers and the network responsible.

Only reason I would have bought is joining Robert on some mission where they would require a doctor. How about Frisco found out the WSB had been infiltrated and Victor Cassidine was in charge? I feel Robin couldn’t have said no to her father and we would have known she’d be protected by both Robert and/or Frisco.

Then Patrick could have told Robin that it is history repeating itself because Anna chose the WSB over Robin many time. Nope it would have worked.

I’m okay with the Jason story but I think having her leave with Robert would have been a great idea too. Good suggestion!

I Love That Idea Chantel, Not For Jason Although I Love Them Both But It Was A Good Enough Reason To Leave Been Husband Or SunrayEspecially Her Daughter!!! And We Spend The First 4 Months Or More Just To See Robin And Patricia Reunion And What FourOnly To Actually A Hand Few Of Times, We Didn’t Even Vet A Bedroom Reunion!!! Not untilShe Leaving, Very Disappointed,I Love The Scorpio Family & Of Course Robin , Im Even Thinking About Stopping Watching GH And I’m Into It Forty Years Or More!!! Im Tired Of G H Playing With The Fan Emotion For Rating!!! Plus This Is The Third Baby Storyline, I Hate That Subriana Is Pregnant With Patrick Baby It’s Just Wrong!!! Mad A Very Disappointed!!#

I agree. If he puts Patrick and Sabrina back to gether again. I’m done watching. I came back because Robin was returning to them. Please bring Robin back as soon as you can.

Again….good idea Chantal. See. I have read over TEN plausible exit stories that would have worked better than the crap they wre writing…but they claim they exhausted every possible storyline and theirs was the best and only one that could work. Daytime needs a fresh eye and new writers!

I wish the guy would concentrate on writing for the actors that want to be on GH. This is becoming tiresome. Too much effort on the comings and goings of this actress. Put a fork in it.

Amen to that. She doesn’t want to be here, so write for the actresses that do instead of having an actress paint the writers in a corner by not wanting to stick around. It’s too hard on the fans.

Please. This is not Kimberly McCullough’s fault! Blame the GH writers, Producers and network for not doing their jobs. Hold them accountable for not being talented enough to craft entertaining storylines that reasonably explain Robin’s times off-screen.

I know they can write a better for anyone that needs to leave temporary. Its not Kimberly fault. You should be glad, the producer people want to better themselves

Such ridiculous comments. Actors come and go. She’s not twisting their arm. She didn’t have Obrecht threaten them to hire her. They want her. They need her for ratings. A good writing team would be able to come up with a story that would explain her absence in a way that doesn’t make her look bad. They are doing this purposefully and that’s all.

The majority of fans do not like the way Robin’s character is being portrayed in this exit and the evidence is the fact that interviews like this are taking place. Calling the actor’s commitment into question is ludicrous. It is the job of the writer to figure out the story in a way that serves the character, the show and the fans. In this instance, it would have been very easy to do that. Characters come and go all the time, they live off screen, especially on GH when you don’t see characters for weeks. All this, poor writers, what else could they possibly do stuff is just such nonsense.

Even this ridiculous Jason/Cassidine frozen story did not have to be done in a way that had the actress look bad. She could have been threatened, Patrick could have been aware of the threat, it could have been a decision that the two of them reached together and that’s it. Fans may not have thought it was a great story, but they wouldn’t be mad at Robin’s portrayal and role in it.

RC should just admit what he did. He sounds like Ralph Kramden trying to explain his way out of a mess to Alice.

Exactly.

RC always sounds like that! LOL. He blames his decisions on actors and other outside forces. He is defensive, and hostile, and is outrageously inappropriate on social media. His stance is that fans have NO right to talk back to him or disagree with his decisions. last year, during the 50th Anniversary, when everyone was loving him for bringing back all the beloved vets, and hailing him as a Soap Superhero, he took that all to heart and it went straight to his head. Now most of those vets are gone, trashed in a dung heap, and the ones who remain are on once every three weeks in token appearances, while disgusting villains and unnecessary, irrelevant newcomers rule the roost.

I actually think that KM did her fans a great disservice by coming back at all – since she knew she could only stay for a short period of time. She could have waited until this Grey’s internship was over, and came back for May sweeps. IMO, this was the only way they could write it that would make Patrick and Emma move on – and both of those characters need to move forward with their lives.

You need to remember that she’s the one that decided to leave so why be mad at the writers? Boy, she has some loyal fans to choose her over the writers when she is the one leaving. I understand because I was a die-hard Simon fan on ATWT, so I understand supporting a beloved actress, but don’t get mad at the writers for wanting her to leave in a way that Patrick still has a life. Honestly, there’s nothing that should be important enough to tear a mother voluntarily from a child, so in my opinion, they need to kill her off, recast her, or she needs to commit to the show.

Couldn’t agree more…and maybe when the feedback they are given from us fans, maybe they will listen….

Hoping poor Patrick in a few months doesn’t get an email saying it’s over…. since she’s not coming back…recast her! the character is beloved.

Totally agree Ashleigh

I agree why are people blaming the writers it’s not there fault KMC doesn’t want to commit to GH for the long term. Patrick was already stuck in a holding pattern until KMC decided to come back. JT is too valuable to the show that he should be sidelined because she has this amazing chance to follow her dream. So the SL needs to move forward besides it amps up the drama when and if she returns. KMC has even stated her self she wanted to come back when it makes the most impact to the SL. I feel for scrubs fans but her passion is directing not acting. So if she isn’t willing to commit to long term SL then you need to shake up scrubs it’s only fair to JT and Patrick…..JT shouldn’t be sidelined or we may lose him too.

This time around I didn’t feel that her heart was really in it….her acting seemed a bit off….maybe she too hated the storyline… if they wanted to Close that story, they should have recast her. Because this character is so essential… the character has to trump the actress playing her…

I will NEVER believe Robin would leave her daughter. Terrible story. Turned me off completely.

Ron had a difficult job and I don’t blame him for Kimberly’s decision to leave – it was all on her. The story is far-fetched because Robin wouldn’t leave her family so soon after reuniting with them, but this isn’t a lifetime commitment she’s making – eventually she’ll be back home with her family, and hopefully bringing Jason home, too.

Robin chose Jason over Patrick & Emma when she ran back into the lab to get the protocol. Her exit this time makes perfect sense.

And Patrick should move on with sabrina. Staying stagnant until she returns is ridiculous.

She did not know the door was going to lock. Any way it was a setup. Dr. O
and Faison did that. They Kidnapped her. That was not her fault.

It IS a lifetime commitment…her true love is directing and that’s the career path she’s chosen. GH is a stopping ground for her now.

I meant for the character of Robin, her decision to leave Emma and Patrick is not a lifetime one, she’ll be back in Port Charles eventually, whether Kimberly wants to return or not. If the show has to recast, they have to recast. There are a few possibilities that would work well, like Melissa Archer or maybe Rebecca Budig

I know its hard to keep a character alive but leaving. It just gets annoying when they no longer want to do it and may come back someday if her producing doesn’t work out. I’m grateful they try everything to help these actors when they want to do other things just hard to keep disrupting a storyline. I know if they would kill her off a lot would be mad. Its one of them damn if you do and damn if you don’t with a character.

Try to fit the in on a schedule. I know it could be hard but if you can write a soap
know you can make a good s/l for them

I think this is the best solution. Robin would go to save Jason in a heartbeat. That is the relationship they had. Also, she doesn’t think she is leaving her daughter forever. I think Ron did a very good job. I would have preferred she stayed kidnapped, though. There was so much hype on her return for her to only stay six months. I feel like the viewers have been held hostage along with Robin. Now, this goodbye is taking forever. I have been a fan since Kimberly joined the show when she was a little girl, but I am ready to move on. My main complaint now is that it looks like Patrick will be left waiting for her for who knows how long! I hate that. I wanted him to be able to move on knowing that Robin is alive and well. He better have a big role in raising his baby with Sabrina. I hope Sabrina and Robin can still have a relationship. They were very good together and Sabrina helped Emma so much while her mom was gone. Patrick hates Jason and I wanted him to break of with Robin because of it.

No I don’t want them to break Robin and Patrick apart for Sabrina. I like Sabrina and Carlos together. They have more Chemistry together than with Patrick. Just because she having a baby is not a reason to put them together again. I still think the baby is Carlos. I would like to see Robin come back with Jason and be pregent with Patrick baby. From the wonderful night they spent together before she left. Please have Patrick waiting for Robin is true love.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE WHO WATCH THIS SHOW??????????? WHY DO YOU LIKE GREASY MURDERERS??????????????????? Cafrlos and Ava just sat and had a laughing, giggling, cavalier conversaation about how Ava shot a defenseless woman at point blank range. Carlos smiled, smirked, and was SO proud of Ava. then, Ava commands him to go over and murder AJ, which he willingy does. THIS is the character that you people want to stick around, and be with Sabrina, and potentially raise her child? I don’t get it. I don’t get the love of disgusting murderer characters (Sonny, Sean, Jason, Julian, Carlos, Ric, et al) and I don’t k now why soaps moral centres have been so skewed and decimated so that the bad guys ALWAYS win. funny how soaps still blame the murder trial of OJ as what pfrecipitated their declining ratings back in 1995. Hmmm…guilty man gets off scott-free. That had the nation enthralled. but soaps viewership has declined MAJORLY since they started writing soaps where evil always triumphs. Viewers still want to see the good guys win, and sadly, that rarely happens anymore. the list of soap opera characters who are still getting away with crimes is long and tedious. soaps are littered with characters who should be dead or in jail by now…Victor Newman, Stefano DiMera, Sonny Corinthos, etc etc etc etc.

@Johnny totally agree wait until you read what happens this week on GH. Everyone is so thrilled about the character of Ava why can’t I have my Laura back. I do not think a murderer is attractive she is not a vixen and Sonny should have been run out on a rail a long time ago. I hope Patrick has something to say about who raises his child and man up!

I do agree with your take on Sonny, Jason, Sean, Julian, Ric, etc. Their mob activity is not cool…they are sick misters, and, as such, hold no entertainment value for me. I can laugh at some of the more over-the-top, camp villains like Heather, Dr. O. and Faison, because they are so fantastical, but that is another matter altogether.

It is not the relationship they had. Jason was fine with Robin dying during the monkey virus. He would not give up his life for Robin & she should not for him.

Has it been determine who is really the father. Is it really Patrick? I hope is it Carlos. So Patrick and Robin can have their baby Patrick asked for.

It has been a good storyline.. full of emotions and def worth that long wait to have her back.. that church scene with her watching the marriage and the very end of the episode with her daughter crying out “Mommy” was worth all of it..

Great job in writing… There is so much bad writing out there on some of these soaps, so it is good that GH keeps it moving fast and our interest… Been trying to get back into Days and it is soooo painnfullll since the writing it soooooooooo slooww..

I sincerely would have preferred Robin die as at least Patrick would still have loved her. Let’s tell it like it is- this exit decision was all about finding a way to make Patrick DESPISE Robin as a result of her selfishness so that the audience would see the sainted Sabrina as a viable alternative for Patrick. Do you really think it’s an accident that Teresa Castillo hasn’t been on screen for ages and the baby story has been of no consequence for Scrubs? The decision was clearly made to keep Sabrina “squeaky clean” in contrast to Robin’s cavalier abandonment of her family so that Patrick will go running to her when Robin leaves. Completely transparent and I would appreciate it if Ron would, at the very least, admit that this was the reason for destroying Robin for the audience. Anything else is an insult to my intelligence.

I agree with that.
when will we learn when the baby is due. Forget all that. My last day will be the day Robin last day. Which is the 5th

It’s original and while I’m not crazy about it I can accept it because it is Jason. At least this way, Emma knows her mommy is okay and left to help others.

I agree

This is true, and one day Robin will be back home

I think it works. Both her parents left for the greater good at one time or another and so does Robin. She is a more than a Doctor she is a scientist and all I know is those last scenes with Patrick and Anna were really great.

Wow. Great to see you are doing nothing but propping Cartini now. Big disappointment. I always respected your ability to let all sides voice their opinion.

They should have just let her stay dead. Having said that, if it will bring Michael Muhney to the canvas as Jason, I’m all for it.

Why? So we can have another stone-faced, emotionless Jason on the show? One was enough.

I think Jason would be anything but stone faced if played by Michael Muhney. There is miles of difference between their acting styles. Michael can say more with his facial expressions than most actors manage with 10 pages of dialogue. On YR Steve Burton is still stone faced.

Obviously you haven’t seen Michael Muhney act. He was phenomenal on Y&R as Adam, he played him so well that even when he did horrible things, I loved the character. Easily one of the biggest losses for the show, along with Jeanne Cooper’s passing, this is probably number two, with Billy Miller’s exit a VERY close number 3.

If GH brought him on board as Jason, they will strike gold.

As a lifelong and near daily viewer I have quite obviously seen him act. He used the same expression and vocal inflecion whether he was saying “Hello how are you” or “I love you with all my heart.” Or “I could kill you with my bare hands.” Very little range. Not saying he was a bad actor by any means, but just because I dont agree with your opinion that he was super awesome amazing, that doesn’t make my opinion any less valid. I loathed the character because he was a kidnapper, a murderer, and other horrible things. Not everyone was over the moon for Muhney, and not everyone loved Adam.

The most believable exit would have involved Robin and Patrick making the mutual decision to leave Port Charles…. too much baggage there. Leaving town with Scorpio would have brought a perfect denouement to the kidnapping story.

That would of been a great exit for now.

Nothing we can do about it so let the gal go do her thang but i still think…like i previously commented…Robin shouldve left for another country to find a cure for a mysterious illness that has sickened thousands including her father(i feel this wouldve been more acceptable)….km wants a career directing so let her go and move on. Robin should have stayed dead in the first place and brought back only if returning full time.(or replaced by another actress) Sabrina shouldve started without being a geeky immature nurse…she shouldve looked how she does now with Patrick gradually becoming smitten by her…Sabrina shouldve been just getting over her broken relationship with Carlos and unaware Patrick is attracted to her…then when she does find out and he invites her out on a first date she is reluctant at first because Carlos had broken her heart and she doesnt want to relive that pain. Better yet Sabrina and Patrick shouldve had that Jessie Brewer and Steve Hardy friendship with only a hint of an attraction and Patrick shouldve been in a love triangle with Liz and Britt! Too late now! Now, id like to see Patrick there for Sabrina and the baby but not able to commit to Sabrina romantically because he remains hopeful Robin will return. However, when Nik marries Britt, Patrick comforts Liz and they fall in love. Then either kill off Robin for real or replace her! End of story!

Also, i found Robins return kinda draggy and the same with her departure: i wouldve loved a whole hour with Robin saying her ‘goodby’ to everyone instead of it dragged out for several episodes when those episodes could have her spent more time with her family…i just find this story completely boring with too few good moments!!! mho!!!

I’m not a fan of GH, but surely Robin’s departure is better than Don Craig (DAYS) going to get his mail and never returning! LOL! In fear of going off topic, I’ll say no more. lol

I’m sure there will be a time to delve into the sudden, mysterious endings of certain characters I’m thinking about!

That would be a great topic!!!

Or following Robin’s “death,” Patrick could have been paired with the perfectly logical and acceptable Liz, then we could have been totally spared the unnecessary and supreme silliness that was the St. Soppy storyline….that would have been absolute bliss!!!!!

I think the writers did the best they could, but I’m hoping that she doesn’t come back again if it is only for a very short stay. For me, that in and out business doesn’t work well.

Agreed. If need be, I wouldn’t mind a recast, but with some time. Jason has been off screen for about a year and a half now so I’d be willing to accept a recast for him. Maybe later on in the year or next year the same can happen to Robin. There are more than capable actresses out there to take on the role.

I ADORE this storyline and I’m glad that people are finally realizing that it was the only, reasonable solution and, not only that, but it also is the beginning stages for a big payoff- Jason coming home, albeit a recast.

People who have said this is “out of character” for Robin, it really isn’t. It’s not about testing her love for her family, it’s about her saving someone she loves and putting someone else above of her own happiness. And not even that, but it’s for Jason, someone that has been an incredible staple throughout her life. He was the boy with no past and she was the girl with no future. He taught her how to live and love again, which ultimately lead her to Patrick. Now Jason has a son and a wife, who were in the position Patrick and Emma were and Robin wants to make sure that she AND her friend both have happy endings with their spouses and children. Also, which I feel is a beat the writers missed, I would think Robin would feel unnecessary guilt over Jason’s “death”, considering her own “death” was what allowed Faison, masked as Duke, to infiltrate Anna’s life and Port Charles, then killing Jason.

I’m happy that they brought Kimberly back when they did because allowing her to be presumed dead too long would have been dull and the payoff wouldn’t have been as sweet as it was. It’s a shame that she chose to leave once again, but she’s a young woman full of promise and goals that she want’s to fulfill and I don’t blame her. I’m glad they didn’t do another kidnapping or recast and I’m certainly glad they didn’t kill her off for good. I’m glad that they didn’t sacrifice Jason Thompson so that Patrick and Robin would leave together, giving us GH fans more of Jason’s continually growing talents and also promising another sweet “Scrubs” reunion in the future- chockfull of more drama and romance, just what soaps are made out of!

you said it all. Amen. They need to bring Robin back again for a sweet reunion with her family.

I could be completely on board with you IF…and only IF…the show had never turned Jason Quartermaine, good-guy, medical student, hero…into a blood-thirsty, cold-blooded, thug, murderer for hire. What is the urgency to bring him back to Danny? Jason had a baby….Jake. Remember him? Jason CHOSE the life of being a murderer for hire OVEr being a father to Jake. He could have quit being a killer for hire. He chose not to. He let another man claim his child as his own so he could continue being a KILLER for Sonny and the mob. Father of the year? I think not. robin should think he would be better off in a frozen slumber than coming back and putting little Danny at risk. Sorry…NO regime on this show gets a free pass from me on the destruction they have wrought on this character. the car-accident/amnesia/working for Sonny was a good plot twist idea for MAYBE a year…at which point Jason should have regained his memories and been UTTERLY and COMPLETELY horrified at what he had done. But no…through several regimes and 16 years, this kept up. Jason the Hitman with the heart of gold who is loved and adored by everyone in town…it’s CRAP. He belongs with fellow murderers Helena and Stavros in suspended animation. unless the show would revive him as Jason Quartermaine, there is NO point to this character’s return…and sacrificing Robin’s character in the process.

I’m hoping he comes back as Jason the wanna be doctor. No longer remembering he was a hitman. I’m also hopeful it will be Michael Muhney playing him. If anyone can pull it off he can. Regardless of rumors, and they are only rumors, Michael is a terrific actor.

I agree with you nikki whole heartley

I like the exit for the most part and I think there is alot of material for when Jason does return with Robin (or not). My big problem is that Robin cannot communicate with her family..why not? You don’t have to shoot a skpe scene (aka Noah and Sabrina) or even phone calls..what’s wrong with an occasional reference? That would make everyone feel like she is not abandoning her family (esp. Emma) which is in some ways out of character for Robin…am glad she is coming back tho I am sick of her being blamed by viewers for the pacing of every other storyline!! Even 6 months of KMc is a lift to Gh..now if only TR will come back…..

Geee. Hmmm let me think! Why bring her back at all. The portrayal of Robin in the last few months was a huge let down and it made her fans not like her so much. I love Robin and would have been happier if she didn’t come back until she was able to give 100%

I’m glad they bought her back and looking forward to her returning sometime.

Sorry Ron I can think of half dozen ways to have Robin leave other than this…but it is what it is. I knew she wasn’t staying and it is a short stint but unfreezing inanimate people? How difficult is that….come on now. She is a world famous researcher how about a breakthrough in aids research forces her back to Africa or how about her father in turmoil, his cancer returns or he’s in a compromising position due to the fact he was an international super spy…or?

Oh never mind. You get my drift….

I have a lot of problems with how this story was told mainly it being so Sabrina heavy when I knew Robin wasn’t going to be around long why waste time with that? All of Sabrinaville could have played out after Robin left. Oh I have a lot of issues re: “how this story was told” but it is what it is.

There are few legitimate reasons a mother would leave her child. Going on a wild goose chase to save a frozen former flame isn’t one of them. I can’t believe this was the best option available to the writers. (Does anyone on the GH staff have kids?)

Running off to save her father might have worked. Not sure. But at least Robin wouldn’t haven’t looked like an such a self-centered idiot. If GH is planning on bringing her back, what’s the point of having viewers turn on the character.

I wish Robin was sticking around longer, but that’s the actress’ decision, can’t blame the writers for having to make the best of the situation. I wouldn’t want them to kill her off so I think given the restraints this was a pretty good choice. If nothing else the symmetry alone with her leaving to save Jason was a great plan. I like that aspect of it. I just wish they had sped up her return so that we could have had her around with everyone else longer before her contract expired. But this has definitely given Jason Thompson some really amazing scenes. I smell an emmy for him.

I agree rose 100%

Is she gone yet? I so hope this brings Patrick and Sabrina back together.

I hope not. They don’t belong together.

I forgot to say, I got really tired of the long goodbye. The whole thing is ludicrus.

The best part of the story was Emma running to Robin and Robin telling Patrick she was leaving again. The rest was just not interesting. If she can’t commit to the show, they either need to recast or let her go completely.

I don’t agree. She part of this show for years and can’t be recast the chemtisry wouldn’t be there like her and Patrick. They are best friends in life and it shows they good together.

They could have easily allowed Robin to get hit by a car and slip into a coma; thereby leaving her character in tact and having a reasonable explanation for her absence. When Kimberly is ready to return (or if they decided to recast), they could have easily had Robin wake up from her coma and go on from there.

I didn’t feel KM was really much into it this time. She seemed to just walk thru the scenes and her wardrobe looked like it came from the local thrift store.

I thought it was a horrible exit. Seems to me that the treatment for any Scorpio is lacking any sense of fairness. They could have put KMc on recurring and figured out temporary exits. She was agreeable to that. They do it for TG all the time. This seems like a Cartini shrug of smugness and insensitivity. I fear what they have in mind of Anna. If it’s what I hear, that may be the last straw.

But it’s been quite some time since GH hasn’t resembled a cartoon – and not a good cartoon at that. As others have said, enough with the stunt casting and shortterm returns if they ultimately do not add to the storylines. Robin’s exit has been the worst of those, but what is his excuse for the horror that is Franko and Keeki?

Absolutely horrible way for her to exit to think she would leave her daughter for a friend means she is a horrible mother. Somehow I do not remember Robin being a bad mother. This actress wants to move on why was she brought back? I personally would have much preferred that we get back Genie Francis/Laura a true icon of this soap she wants the job. As far as I am concerned pair Patrick back with Sabrina since she is having a little Drake and truly loves Emma. If I was Patrick I would have told Robin to not let the door hit her on the way out!

Patrick and Sabrina don’t work together good. No chemistry with them two. I think Sabrina has more chemistry with Carlos. I feel Patrick should wait and be happy with the woman he is in love with not one he loves. There is a big diffence.

I would finally make it clear that trying to bring back Robin and then letting her leave over and over isn’t in the best interest of the show and I would tell her that.

I also would not hire a man who molests women to replace Jason. And yes, in this case he is guilt until proven innocent.

Why put yourself in this situation as a writer? This story is one of many reasons that I stopped watching the show recently.

I understood it as soon as Robin said that she was going to save Jason. Most if not all of the fans forget that Robin put Jason ahead of Patrick & Emma when she ran back into the lab to get the protocol. Even as Patrick pleaded with her not to because the emergency door would lock behind her. TPTB i.e. ABC, Frank Valentini & Ron Carlivati chose the perfect exit for Robin that woukd make sense all the way around.

I don’t loathe her exit story, but I can’t say I like it either. I understand that the producers and writers are always under pressure from the network, have budget constraints and must consider how it will effect other character’s story lines. However, I’m not sure what the point of her return was if she needed to leave only 6 months later.

For long-time fans, you might remember that Vanessa Marcil’s Brenda did that in 2002. Brenda returned from the dead with Alcazar, reunited with Jax and he ultimately left her at the alter for seeing her kiss Sonny the night before their wedding. It made Jax look like a jerk and then she was gone again for 8 years.

So in Robin’s case, I think we could have dragged out her kidnapping indefinitely until she was either ready to make a real commitment or the writer’s were ready to kill her off. Recasting is always a mistake in my opinion, with very few exceptions. None the less, I’ve never been a Robin fan and honestly won’t miss the character.

I love Kimberly in the role of Robin. However, she has chosen another career path and I feel the storyline is suffering because Kim’s commitments. What happens when she decides to return? Will she only be on screen for six months and leave again? I think maybe it’s time to recast the role or kill the character off. I think the fans deserve continuity or closure. This will not be accomplished with Kimberly signing on to play the part every 2 years. Yes, Kimberly is excellent; however there are other talented actresses. I believe the exit storyline tainted the character in long time fans eyes. I wish Kimberly the best. But it is time for both her & the writers to move on.

Disagree. No one can replace her.

My problem with the way Robin’s exit is being portrayed is that Robin should have been able to take Patrick and Emma with her as a condition of saving the Cassadine’s (and Jason). It makes Robin appear selfish to abandon her daughter.

I think even this exit would have been more acceptable if they had not wasted so much time with Robin still being captive once KM came back. Knowing they only had her for six months they should have reunited Robin, Patrick & Emma within the first two weeks giving them more time as a family. Had that happened I think her leaving would not have felt so contrived and out of character.

I understand having to quickly drum up an exit if an actor leaves abruptly as happened with Tristan Rogers…but in this case they knew her exact dates of availability and had ample time to write story around that availability. I have to wonder if Ron & or Frank thought they could wheedle more time out of KM.

its sad Robin has to leave again; but due to other commitments to other things shes doing; the writters have done the best they can with this situation; maybe Patrick will become involved again with Sabrina; so when Robin returns she will have to fight again for him there will b e a storyline waiting in the works wsho knows?????? get Jason back; wish it was Steve Burton!!!!!!!!

Better than leaving her staring at a wall for 10 years!

I realize how difficult it is to write a story line and believe you did the best you could. It would be nice to see Robin come back with the one and only Jason (Steve Burton). That would most definitely be worth her leaving Port Charles.

Keep up the good work and don’t worry about the fan’s writing their negative opinions. You are doing an awesome job. Been watching this show since I was a kid. Thanks for your wonderful imagination.

Terrible story line to bring a Robin back just to have her leave. What Mother after missing her daughter would leave again to save someone. Terrible. Should of never brought her back. They don’t care how viewers connect with the characters, it’s all about ratings.

You mean “Should HAVE never brought her back.” Not should of.

I think you guys are right about this Robin leaving.. 🙁 I will be miss Robin and real person Kim McCullough

Bringing Robin back was a mistake for all..
Her fans are once again grieving her exit.. (boohoo)
It put the writers through hell trying to make it right..
It gave RC/FV a headache to deal with.
And the story, a short stay story, is never that great..
And having Robin return accomplished nothing of greatness..
I hope they never make this mistake again ..

Ribon/KMc is not that big of a deal to create this mess, not worth it.. She walked out of GH and her fans, no need to praise her she is not staying on, she has moved on from GH ..

The ratings jumped, of course some would tune in to watch her leave, again..

She is that big of a deal. She’s the reason ratings went UP.

I think she can come and go as she please. Everyone seems to have a problems with her Robin leaving and coming. Everyone else does it. Actors are human being and need time to do the thing that are important to them to do.
good thing this is no a real story. Some people take this soap opera to extreme.
I love Robin she can come and go anytime, I just hope that it is longer that 6 months. Hopefully she will finish her schooling and directing her movie and will have lots of time. I hope her well.

I think Robin could have been kept off screen especially with Olbrecht running GH. You still can show Patrick and Emma as there is the Sabrina baby story. JMHO!

No – it only shows how bankrupt this creative-writing team is. I can think of 3 storyline possibilities right off the top of my head and yet he claims they talked through “every possible story.” If your team is creatively bankrupt, then take suggestions from amateurs or bring in new blood.

AMEN to you Pat!!!

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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