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Risa Dorken Cast As GH's New Nurse Named … Amy!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/IMDB

Courtesy/IMDB

“Amy ___  to the seventh floor nurses station!”  That may be the call when actress  Risa Dorken makes her GH debut on May 4th!

According to Soap Opera Digest, Dorken has been cast as GH’s neweest nurse, but there is a key twist!

Apparently, her personality and the character description pretty much matches that of Amy Vining, the long-running blabbermouth nurse played by the late Shell Kepler (who passed away in 2008), and sister to Laura.  (Genie Francis).

The role in the casting breakdown described the new Amy as “a spunky new nurse who just can’t help herself from gossiping and putting her nose in other’s business.”

So, will Risa Dorken be Amy Vining’s daugther or relative, or is this a coinci-dink? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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I hope she is related to Amy…sounds like she would be with that description…and she is very cute…at first i thought she was going to be Charlotte-Nathans ex-maybe she is and Amy’s kid too-this is a newbie i actually look forward to for a change-Please be Amy’s daughter and Nathans ex!!!

or will she be Nina’s thought-dead child?…i prefer Amy’s daughter and Nathan’s ex

Why the hell does her name have to be Amy? This is over kill.
Having her act like the classic Amy Vinning is good enough–no need to name her Amy.

I thought Nathan’s ex was named Claudette?

That was an error-i meant Claudette…

this is awesome, its brilliant, we need a busybody nurse, so i like it as to weather she’s related to the late amy vining, i welcome it if it is, if it isn’t then thats ok too, but great idea from the writers.

IMO it’s a nice homage to the character of Amy Vining. The character was never a pivotal one. But, it’s nice that GH never recast her, which they could have easily done. Having a nurse named Amy is a sweet sign that while she may be gone, she hasn’t been forgotten.

Enough with the new characters! Felix could easily be the gossip at the hub

We NEED some new people on the show. I.would prefer they bring back some oldies, but definitely need to keep mixing it up. I also think it would be cool if they gave some parts to some OLTL people. Oh I miss them!!

Hell yes starting with Melissa Archer!

We dont need more characters. Cast is beyond full & please no more OLTL actors.

Marilyn? Are you kidding? We need more people on GH like Donald Trump needs more holes in his head.

I so agree that we it would be nice to have some of the OLTL characters on the show. I like having Roger on the show. I liked him as Todd, but it got weird with him coming back at Todd for Starr who became Kiki than Roger comes back to become Franco. Just like Slyus who also played his dead brother for a while and now coming back as Fin. Why can’t they bring other people in so it doesn’t get confusing with crossovers.

Could she be Amy’s daughter? If so, who’s the daddy?

Maybe Finn?

Okay I’ll buy it until proven otherwise. lol

Last I remember Amy Vining died and I don’t remember Laura saying she had a niece. So I’m guessing “coinci-dink”.

I don’t know why but I don’t remember Amy dying. I hope this is a relative for Laura though. Could be something for Laura to have to deal with.

The actress past away in real life but Amy has not passed away on screen. So she could have just moved away and finally had a child and this could totally be her daughter!

would Amy really name her daughter after her?

Lucille Ball named her daughter after her so its possible…or she is using her middle name-maybe she is Claudette Amy Vining West?

Oh, Wow, Wow, Jimmy!! Good one!! I did say that Claudette would show up sooner or later. Maybe, she wants her gloves back.

Claudette needed her Visa. I believe Nathan said she was Canadian ( Quebecoise). Perhaps, Amy, the mother, had her with a French-Canadian. But, she would not need to marry Nathan if that were the case because Amy Vining was American. Hmmmmm. Good theory, though, right?

So, if this is the case… we know who Nathan has the hots for…

#TheBlondies lol

Sounds fun. All shows need a character like this.

Days-where’s Maxine!

I liked Maxine…with the return of Valerie Grant they could have been cousins like i suggested in a letter to Corday sometime ago,,,

The cast is bloated as it is! They tried to cry poor with Becky Herbst, but they keep adding new people like they have all the money in the world. Let me guess: Becky will be on her hiatus when “Amy” debuts.

She looks like a cross between Tracy Abbott and Tanya Tucker! Not bad. I dont think she is related to Amy. Who would name their daughter after ones self? UNLESS, Amy is her middle name? BUT, I dont remember Amy even dating much. Who could the father be? SCOTT BALDWIN! Welcome Risa.

Maybe Finn is her daddy…thought she could be Claudette Amy Vining Finn West-ties her to Laura, Dr.Finn and Nathan-his ex wife…thats the way the writers should have written the character instead of writing in a whole new family-still hope she is tied to someone in PC!!!

Lucie Arnez is sort of named after mom Lucille Ball so its possible…im named after my dad so why cant moms name their daughters after theirself?…i have heard of daughters named after their moms-not many do that but some have.

And while we are at it, Tim is Timothy. Why isnt Jim Jimothy?

My Aunt named her daughter, Joyce after herself.
I loved to hate Amy Vining, and am looking forward to the “character renewal”.

Or Tim Tames.

Or she could be yet another daughter for Laura while in the sanitarium who turns out to be a Cassidine thanks to Helene and one of her sons-Stravos, Valentin…

So pretty!

Really pretty ! Pleased to see the Hospital on an IV drip.

Maybe “Amy” could turn out to be a long-lost daughter somehow of Scotty Baldwin AND Laura Spencer. Lest us no forget, that when Laura and Lulu found that old (?album was it?) in the creepy and eerily Wyndermere… The album had to do with the older days with Laura and Scotty (with some ties into and mentions of Luke Spencer as well). Could see “Amy” being part of this key ticket that Helena Cassadine left behind for Laura in her will.

ANYTHING that involves Scotty, I’m in! The problem with your theory is I cannot see Laura walking away from a child?

Amy was Laura’s younger sister. Can’t tell from the photo how old this actress is, but I wonder if she can pass as Laura’s younger sister and be a recast of Amy Vining herself!

Oh forget it. I just IMDB’d her and she is only in her early 20s. Would be nice for Laura to have a niece around.

I loved Shell Kepler as Amy Vining, and when things turned dark in Port Charles, I lamented she was given so little to do. There is much to be said for the continuity characters who may not have constant front-burner stories, but “pour the coffee” and give audiences the sense of comfort and home. Kudos to the writers for what perhaps creates that again. Yes, the cast is bloated and eventually we need to winnow the rolls.

Worry about adding new characters, but Risa/Amy seems like a good addition based on the history of Amy Vining. Just wonder how she got passed an interview with Dr. O?

I’m kinda excited i’m not gonna lie, this could be good

Speaking of Laura, what happened to her and her quest for figuring out what Helena’s “gift” to her meant-another forgotten storyline?

Sounds fun!

Not unless she’s French jimh. I believe Nathan said he married her to keep her from being deported. And Amy sounds like she’s going to be the good-natured hub of all things gossip, like her predecessor. But who knows…she is joining the cast as Claudette is being talked about. I don’t think so, but you never know…

She dropped her accent like Madlyn had done?

Hmmmm…

Just what we need, another new character!

I have no idea who Amy Vining is. I shall educate myself.

Amy Vining was classic. Played by Shell Kepler. She was Laura’s (adopted) sister. You may have heard the name Laura Vining. Amy was the hospital gossip. She was funny! Sadly, the actress passed away a few years ago. Not sure why a new “Amy” is being introduced. Hope whatever they are trying to pull works. The new actress has some big shoes to fill.

I know, Joe. But, I was sort of prepared, and braced myself as soon as the name Claudette came up.
I can’t say for sure, of course. But, why throw the name around if she were not to materialize?

Hey, CeeCee….Just think how long we heard about Nina before she turned up…..and ever since she did, I’ve been wishing she hadn’t! How I hope we won’t have a repeat situation with Claudette.

Shay, Hearing Silas wax poetic about his invisible friend brought back childhood memories of Big Bird waxing poetics about his invisible friend, the Snuffallagus (I have no idea how to spell that).
But damn, while I was expecting some mystical phantom animal to appear, I was instead stuck with Michelle Stafford snoring and hamming it up like the scene chewer she is.

@Shay/Harry:
Just for interest sake…Mr. Snuffleupagus turned out to be real afterall. ‘Srsly’! Lol.

I think Griffin was the guy Claudette was with while she was married to Nathan-maybe he shot Griffin, the secret he’s hiding from Maxie!

It’s rude & disrespectful is what it is. I expect nothing less from GH these days though. Jelly & Co. spit on pretty much everything I ever loved about GH. Not sure what “demo” they’re going for with this one but it will fail like all the other stunts trotted out over the past 4 years. This isn’t a “nod”. This is erasing the past which is exactly what the past 2 regimes have tried endlessly to do. Too bad those of us who actually watched pre-2000 aren’t falling for it.

Can you really blame some writers though, wanting and or at least trying to look past the past?

Please make her Amy’s daughter!! Pretty please?!

Did they ever mention onscreen that Amy Vining died? I don’t recall any mention of it.
I hope she is an Amy relative otherwise it would be be disrespectful to Shell’s memory.
Maybe she could be a child that Amy had with that boxer Johnny (that was in the early 80s), which of course would be older than this actress is.
But it would be a nod to history.
As many others posted, the cast is already so bloated. I’d love to see more of Mac, Felicia, Robert, Kevin, Lucy, Epiphany, Diane, Milo, Max, TJ, Cam, Spencer, Laura, Scotty, and see Duke back.

She was murdered, but WE never saw a body. At least, that’s what my 9 yr old brain remembers.

I don’t remember her being murdered but I was not much older than you!

A nurse named Amy! The many scenes between Shell Kelper and Jane Elliott at the nurses station brings back fond memories.

JUST A SIDE NOTE: Kepler was a smart businesswoman. Way ahead of her time! She just maybe the first soap actor to have a product on the likes of HSN or QVC.

Cast is a bit full now as it is. So I agree with another’s comment.

I loved the old Amy she was so bubbley most of the time , that is when she wasn’t spelling guts out about things she would hear others talking about. I think her an the nurse who helped Sunny walk again would but heads . Would be funny it will be great to bring Amy in to shake up the 7th floor stiff necks , an some of the nurses, it will be great an funny for her to come back to put a different kind of spark of being a busy body who never keeps anything to her self, luv it. I also loved Jessie, an. Lucy nurses ba k when go was on l y on for 30 minutes, an 15 of the 30 was advertising.

would have been nice to have a different name and not Amy.Sure hope its not AMYVinnysdaughter. Would be great to have it be Claudette. Having watching this show from day one when it was only on for 15 mins cant wait to see what this new character will bring to the show.

The writers said they wanted to center alot of the characters and stories back to the hospital thus we have three new doctors and now “Amy.” I don’t know what to think of their name choice yet. Either they’re trying to recreate something lost while introducing a “new” character to viewers who never knew the original, or it’s a nod to the original actress-character by creating a similar one who coincidentally has the same name…like the coincidence of the many same faces of Michael Easton or the nid to Roxy. Curious to see how it plays out. She could add an element if good-natured fun like the original…perhaps she’s part of something Laura lost!

She has a couple of videos on youtube. She was definitely cast to play a relative of the other nurse Amy, same voice.

I just saw her today and instantly ran to google, because after watching her with Kirsten Storms…I was convinced they were related. Obviously I am wrong, but they really do look like THEY could be family.

Has anyone noticed that the new nurse Amy looks just like maxie. Are they sister’s in real life????

If this new addition to gh is a throw back to charcter amy vinning them she is a welcomed site she can certainlty hold her own with dr. monica rhat’s for sure, espically after today’s run on description of how Jason came to be a quartermaine.

I think Amy will be Amys daughter.

I missed many years of GH & wondered what ended the story for Amy Webber? I sorely realize the actress passed away, so did the have nurse Amy Webber pass on the soap opera too? Always wondered now more than ever seeing Laura talking to a psycic & she mentioned Amy, is this a future role down the road perhaps!

Amy just disappeared one day. I believe they mentioned the character’s passing in one of the recent anniversary episodes, but never went into details. Haven’t seen her down here in Hell, so I guess that means she went upstairs. Something that’s not always guaranteed for residents of Port Charles!

General Hospital

Could Justin Bruening Join ‘General Hospital’? Set Visit with Wife Alexa Havins Stirs Fan Hopes

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Justin Bruening and Alexa Havins

Several famous couples met on All My Children; one of which is Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie Martin) and Alexa Havins (ex-Babe Carey, now Lulu Spencer, GH). The two met on the soap and married back in 2005 and share four children together. Fast forward to 2026 and Havins, who is currently in the middle of Lulu’s legal battle with Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), received a visit from her hubby on the set of the ABC soap opera.

Bruening took to his Instagram to share his visit to Port Charles with a series of very cute photos of the couple, which then lead fans to hope that a Justin sighting could potentially lead to a role on the show!

Taking to his social media, the first photo was captioned, “I’m lost….Can someone point me in the direction of a good hospital?” Next, Justin selected a pic with himself and his wife, sharing, “Oh! Here’s someone! Lulu, you say? Hmmm….That’s weird…you look familiar. Have we met?” In a follow-up photo, Bruening commented, “You’re cute….. What are you going to do with the rest of your life? I’m thinking……… 4 kids? House in the burbs? 1,001 pets?”

Photo: JPI

FROM PINE VALLEY TO PORT CHARLES

Then, Bruening included a photo of himself in front of the photo of his former on-screen brother, Michael E. Knight (ex-Tad, AMC) who now plays Martin Grey on General Hospital.

Taking to the comment thread was Alexa Havins’ on-screen son, Finn Carr (Rocco Falconeri) who shared, “This is amazing!” In addition to many fans who now hope that Justin might one day soon join the cast of GH.

“Does this mean you’re coming on GH or just visiting your beautiful wife,”expressed one fan. Another wrote, “Ooh, any chance we’re getting a cameo? Tell Alexa she’s my fave on the show.” Another had a casting idea, “Make Justin Bruening a Dillon Quartermaine recast!”

Alexa Havins played Babe from 2003-2007 on the beloved ABC soap opera, while Bruening played Jamie from on and off from 2003-2011 when the series was canceled by ABC.

Since his days in Pine Valley, Bruening has appeared on primetime in series including, Ravenswood, Grey’s Anatomy, and Sweet Magnolias.

Justin recently wrapped The Other Side of the Window, a thriller where the loglines share: “CEO Elise Dufoe must work with unconventional allies to clear her name after her husband dies mysteriously and she is framed for financial crimes.” The feature is said to be in post-production.

So, did you love seeing Justin and Alexa together in the new pics? Would you like to see Justin land a role on GH? If so, who should he be cast as? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Preview: Genie Francis Talks Historic Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Laura and Longtime Co-Star Tony Geary

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Genie Francis

On Friday, October 30, Genie Francis will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies. Ahead of her honor, Genie sat down with Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough to discuss her legendary soap career and enduring on-screen partnership with the late Anthony Geary (ex-Luke Spencer).

Speaking of joining GH as a young Laura Vining when she was just 14, Francis admitted,  “It was so scary, I mean you don’t know what you don’t know. If I really knew what I was in for I would have been terrified.”

Genie will be presented with her Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband of 40 years, actor and director, Jonathan Frakes.

Genie Francis

Courtesy/CBS

Commenting on being the recipient of the Daytime Emmys highest recognition, Francis expressed, it’s “a wonderful feeling of accomplishment,'” and on receiving the award from her husband, “It feels incredibly safe and takes a lot of my nerves out of it because I know he’s another one who’s just not going to let me screw up, right?”

THE LEADING MEN THROUGHOUT HER LIFE: JONATHAN FRAKES AND TONY GEARY

Speaking of feeling safe, Francis echoed that sentiment when getting teary-eyed over reflecting on her time as the all-time soap opera super couple, Luke and Laura with Tony Geary. Genie reflected, “I’m going to cry. He (Tony) made me who I am today. I learned so much from this man. He was so loving and so kind. She added about the famous dance at Wyndham’s department store between Luke and Laura, “If I was in his arms I could do it.”

That sentiment carried on for decades with Geary. Francis even admitted to Derek Hough, a secret, “I wear Tony Geary’s cologne. I just remember hugging him and smelling him and I said, ‘Oh, it smells so good.’ And he told me what it was and he said, ‘It’s unisex. You can wear it.’”

Tony Geary

Courtesy/Extra

Up until now, its hard to believe that Genie has only won once at the Daytime Emmys. It was back in 2007 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category, where once on-stage to accept the gold statuette, she acknowledged Geary.

Genie continues to be humble regarding the impact and lasting impression she’s made on the soap genre saying to Hough, “I’ve never gotten my impact. I just don’t get it.”You can check out Extra’s segment with Genie Francis below.

Now weigh-in; are you happy and excited to see Genie being honored for her decades of work in the soaps? What has been your favorite storyline of Laura, or Luke and Laura through the years? Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?

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Chase and Willow

Any hopes for a last minute reprieve were dashed when filled with sorrow, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers in front of a judge in the Dominican Republic on the Monday, October 26 episode of General Hospital.

The judge asked if they really wanted to go through with this, as a teary-eyed Brook Lynn and Chase both hesitated to sign the court documents. They admit that neither of them wants to get divorced, but they both came to the conclusion that too much mistrust has permeated their relationship, and too much has happened between them to stay married.

With that, Brook Lynn decided to put her pen to paper first. She signs the divorce papers. Next, Chase follows suit. They look at each other with tears in their eyes that their marriage is officially over. When the judge went to filing their divorce papers, Chase and Brook Lynn agreed to split custody of baby Phoebe straight down the line 50/50.

Josh Swickard

Courtesy/ABC

THE END OF THE ROAD

Next, the judge returned and gave each a copy of their paperwork. Chase says to Brook Lynn that he thinks that they should each fly back to Port Charles separately, and that he would take another flight home. Chase says goodbye to Brook Lynn and exits. Now alone looking at the empty room, Brook Lynn utters,“Goodbye, Chase.”

Later in the episode, as Brook Lynn flies back home to Port Charles alone, she listens to the message from Tracy (Jane Elliot) telling her she is doing the right thing by divorcing Chase.

Cut to: an emotional Chase who went to the beach. He looked at his wedding ring. Mourning the loss of his marriage, Chase buried his ring in the sand, at the same time Brook Lynn was removing her wedding ring on the airplane.

The drama won’t stop from here for Brook Lynn, because as teased in the GH video spoilers preview for the week, Jude (Wil Traval) will come calling wanting to see his “daughter,” and potentially staking claim to baby Phoebe!  As for Chase, now that he is a free man, will he begin a relationship with his ex-wife, Willow Tait (Katelyn McMullen), with whom he has been completely duped? Stay tuned.

So, were you happy that Brook Lynn and Chase actually ended their marriage? Were you hoping that the two would reconcile at the last minute and realize love can conquer all, or do you think they were being adult about the situation that they couldn’t get out of their own way and feelings to make their union work? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out the scenes from Chase and Brook Lynn’s divorce and its aftermath below.

 

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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