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

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

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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