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Since the lab explosion at GH that originally was suppose to “claim” the life of Dr. Robin Scorpio Drake over a year ago, there have been some very shocking twists and turns along the way for fans of the series!  In actuality, the explosion was to pave the way for the departure of fan favorite Kimberly McCullough (Robin) to pursue her career behind the camera as a director.  The Daytime Emmy winner has been in the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, and is in the second year of the ABC/DGA Creative Talent Program, and is prepping to film her passion project, Creve Couer, MO!

But thanks to General Hospital head writer Ron Carlivati, and executive producer Frank Valentini, while Kimberly has been busy directing, these two gents found a way to keep Robin alive, even keeping the character from meeting her maker and away from her husband Dr. Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson) and their daughter, Emma (Brookyn Rae Silzer) with the help of some diabolical villains from the past and present namely: Cesar Faison (Anders Hove), Jerry Jacks (Sebastian Roche), and Dr. Olbrecht (Kathleen Gati)!  But through it all, the powers-that-be have been laying the foundation for a huge payoff when Kimberly was able to afford the time to come back and play it out!  Well, that time is upon us.  McCullough goes back to tape this week at GH, and according to a GH rep, look for Robin to make her first appearance on new episodes of General Hospital sometime in October!

On-Air On-Soaps met up with Kimberly, and we were oh-so-happy to see her!  So what does she think will happen when Robin finds out that Patrick has a new love in his life in Sabrina (Teresa Castillo)?  How does she think Robin’s return will actually go down?  What has she thought of her on-screen hubby Jason Thompson’s entangled romantic life with Britt (Kelly Theibaud), and Sabrina in her absence?  Kimberly offers insight, and her opinions on it and all and so much more, as we bring you this candid, cute, and engaging chat as we welcome Kimberly home.  All we can say is,“Hold on to your seats, ‘Scrubs’ fans!”

MICHAEL:

Did you decide now was the time to return to General Hospital, because you knew fans were getting very upset that you were not there?

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

No, no!  I decided now was a good time because of a couple of things.  Frank Valentini was waiting for the story to get to a place to where it would make the most sense for me to come back, meaning I think he wanted Patrick to be in a relationship so he could make the biggest impact with me coming back.  But also because, I just started the second year of my directing program and it’s not as busy right now.  So basically, there was a window of opportunity that I could do something back at GH.  But the main reason is, since I left the show more than a year ago, I was not ever satisfied with the way it happened.  Frank knew that I was always wanting, and willing, to come back and do something else that was more respectful of the character, and also because so many of my old colleagues and friends are back on the show now.  I left before they came back.  So, I did not get a chance to work with anyone.  I did work with Finola Hughes (Anna), but for less than two weeks.  Personally, and selfishly, I have looked forward to being on the set with Lynn Herring (Lucy), Kin Shriner (Scott), Ian Buchanan (Duke), Finola, and everyone!

MICHAEL:

You did sign a contract, the length of which I understand you cannot comment on.  But, what can you tell us?

KIMBERLY:

I did sign a contract.  It’s not going to be as it has been where I am popping in for a day or two.  It’s going to be a story that is going to be played out.

MICHAEL:

Do you know the actual story that they are writing for Robin’s return?

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I don’t, actually.  I pitched them a couple of things, and this was months ago, and so I don’t know what they decided on.  They purposely did not tell me.  But I can guess, because I have been watching the show, and I can kind of see where it is leading up to.  I have an idea of what is going to happen. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

What do you think it’s been like for Jason Thompson working within the Sabrina and Britt story?  How is it for you watching it?  Do you think it’s been hard for Jason?

KIMBERLY:

I think it’s good for Jason, because he pretty much only worked with me for seven years.  It’s good for him to work with other actresses and characters that are very different than Robin, and kind of seeing where he fits in them with them.  Both the characters of Sabrina and Britt really bothered me at the very beginning, because I felt they were both so two-dimensional.  They were obviously polar-opposites, and so it was hard for me to swallow, because it was so obvious.  Now, they are a little bit more like real people.  For instance: Britt is having a relationship with Nikolas, or it looks like it at least, and now that Sabrina and Patrick are together, she is not wearing those ridiculous bows in her hair, (laughs) and I like it.  I understand why they had to do that.  But, my personal preference is that I am much happier with the way things are now.

MICHAEL:

What have you thought of your on-screen daughter, Brooklyn Rae Silzer’s (Emma) performance while you have been away?  She has become quite the little scene stealer!

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/Tumblr

Obviously, I give her credit that the kid works hard, but I can say that because I did work hard as a child growing up on GH.  But, I would really give Jason Thompson credit, because he has really taken the time with Brooklyn, and that is what Finola and Tristan Rogers (Robert) did with me.  Otherwise as a kid, you get lost on the set especially since normally they don’t give a kid a lot to do.  So when you do have a story, it’s so helpful for the actors who are playing your parents to sit you down and explain it, and really be there for you, instead of only just saying the lines.

MICHAEL:

I am envisioning after all the kidnapping, drugging, shock therapy, and brain trauma that Robin is by now a mush-head! (Laughs)  The latest information viewers were given as to Robin’s whereabouts was in a flashback where Dr.Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) has Robin in a wheelchair and was taking her to Jerry Jacks hideaway in Corinth!  You don’t think Robin is going to return catatonic?

KIMBERLY:

Oh God, I hope not!  I was catatonic before, when Grant Putnam killed someone in front of Robin.  Well, they will not be getting their monies worth at GH if I am just sitting there staring at the wall. (Laughs)  But soap operas are notorious for amnesia, so it is possible that I won’t remember anything.

MICHAEL:

Are you excited to dig in and come home to General Hospital to tell Robin’s story?

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I am excited to go back this week¸ and before I was just too burnt-out, and I had other things on my mind.  But Frank and Ron weren’t there, and I have become friendly with Frank over the last year.  I love him, and I respect him.  I like his style, and it does remind me of Gloria Monty (former executive producer, GH) in that he is on the floor.  I love that!  I love what Frank has done with the show, and I love that they brought so many people back, and it’s more exciting now.  I am really looking forward to it, and at the same time, I have to switch my brain a little bit.  I have been traveling for the last year and shadowing directors, and being on sets, and really enjoying being an observer.  Being an actor is the exact opposite of that.  You have to be an active participant! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

What do you think would happen if Robin walks in, and sees that Patrick and Sabrina are together?

KIMBERLY:

Well, I guess that would depend on if she remembers that Patrick is her husband, or not?   I don’t know, but that is what I think is exciting about the story.  Robin and Patrick did not leave each other on bad terms, obviously. They were still in love, and of course, it’s difficult to see your husband with someone else, but Robin has always been a heroine and risen above adversity.  I hope they write me that way instead of a catfight with Sabrina, because that would be lame and predictable.  I hope it’s more complicated, just how it is in real life, in that you always want the best for people, but of course, it tears your heart out if you are not the one who gets to have the person you love!

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

What did Jason Thompson say when you told him you made a deal and are returning to GH?

KIMBERLY:

We have been talking about my coming back for a long time.  But he is having fun spreading his wings a little bit, because I am a bit like mama bear. (Laughs) Literally, between every take I would be like, “Do this, and do that.”  I would direct him, and he would ask me too, but I could be very bossy.  (Laughs)  I think it’s been good for him for me not to be there, and see what it was like.  I am excited to work with him again. Obviously, I love him dearly.  It’s fun, and easy to work with Jason.

MICHAEL:

I assume you did take Jason under your wing when he started on GH several years ago?

KIMBERLY:

I did. (Laughs)  But, I was trying not to be too obvious about it.  But, Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) is really obvious about it when he does that. (Laughs) I kind of do it on the sly. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Jason was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at this year’s Daytime Emmys.  He submitted the episode which featured the heartbreaking tie scene between Robin and Patrick, where Patrick tries to get himself dressed and ready to attend her funeral.  What do you recall about taping those emotional scenes with Jason, and the audience?

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I remember it was really difficult.  I had seen a movie that was kind of like that scene. What I liked about it was the person that was dead was detached and did not understand what was going on, and the person that was alive was carrying all the emotion.  So that is what Jason and I talked about before shooting it.  So I would say like, “Don’t look at me!” (Laughs) For me, the challenge was you stay apart and keep it together, and he had to tell the story and just not say anything.  That is what I thought was so cool about it.  You don’t get a lot of moments in soap opera where you are conveying emotion without literally breaking down piece by piece what you are feeling at every second.  So, I think that is maybe why it was so special.  There were so many things going on, and we were hardly talking.

MICHAEL:

Thank God you are coming back to GH!  How long can they keep coming up with ways to keep Robin away from Port Charles and the Drake family?  They have to now connect the dots, so this story makes sense with a huge payoff, and not keep sending Robin to God knows where … and in the dastardly hands of who know who, anymore. (Laughs)

KIMBERLY:

They were giving me time to do what I needed to do.  The year that I have been gone I have shadowed Leslie Linka Glatter, who I believe is the best director there is.  I got into the DGA myself, I directed an episode of TV, and I am well on my way to directing more.  And so, if I had not taken that year off from GH that would not have happened.  They have tried to stall and give me the time, which is crazy.  I have been always lucky in this way, even when I was young they had given me time off to take a test.  Marty Vagts (former coordinating producer, GH) was determined to help me get a good education.  So, anytime something big came up he would make sure I had time off so I could go to school.  I would have labs in physics class every couple of weeks, and you can’t write a paper in a lab, so he would make sure I was there.  I have been very lucky in my whole relationship with General Hospital that they have always supported my life, and they don’t have to.  Frank is a director too, and he is supportive and understands the commitment it takes to do that.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Would you want to direct episodes of General Hospital, or would that be weird?

KIMBERLY:

I would love to!  I don’t know how Frank feels about that.  I have to say just like the actors, the daytime directors work harder than anyone.  When I was doing Shake It Up, we had four or five scenes a day, and we shot for two days.  Their production manager said to me, “We have got to be out of here by 4 o’clock!  Can you do that?”  I am the “newbie” and so I nodded my head and said, “Yes.”  But what I was thinking was; “You guys have no idea of what I can do, because of where I have been.”   I finished early, which is something “newbies” never do.  They usually run over.  But that is because I know tricks, and have seen the way the directors at GH do it.  They only have two or three days to prepare.  They shoot 140 pages a day, and nobody does that.  Even recently on GH when I have been watching the show, they have been getting more creative with their shots with some really beautiful stuff.   It is well thought out, whereas sometimes you just get the “talking heads” and a two shot, single, single, and you are out.  But GH hasn’t been doing that lately. They seem to be really stretching themselves.  I guess that is a long answer to your question.  So, yes, I would love to direct GH, but it’s difficult, and would be a challenge.

MICHAEL:

Do you think your friends and cast mates at GH would easily take direction from you?

KIMBERLY:

Yes.  I would not even worry about that, and it’s not an ego situation.  I would be doing my job, and they would be doing their job, and that’s it.

MICHAEL:

A director sees his or her vision come to life in a film.  It is the director who brings all the elements together.  What is it about directing that called you to it?

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I have loved it since I was little.  As I was saying, I love being an observer more so than being a participant.  I think it’s because I feel like I have something to say.  I have a unique way of seeing the world.  I have always loved movies, and in a way they brought me up.  I think it’s all of the greatest art forms put into one.  I feel like when I make a film, I don’t have to pick.  I can talk about music.  I can talk about art direction.  I can talk about framing, and not just the creative aspects, but the business of it, and producing and raising the money for a film, and scheduling, and all that stuff.  It’s everything put together, and I get to have my hands on all of it.  Whereas as an actor, you’re only job is to be in the moment, and that is also wonderful, but I have had so much of that, and I know what that I is like.

MICHAEL:

What have your fans said on Twitter about your return?  Was it mostly nice?  Or, “Oh, now you have finally decided to come back?”

KIMBERLY:

Mostly nice things! (Laughs) Anybody who says, “Don’t come back, I love Sabrina …” I think that is great, because that is creating drama.  I think that will be fun.  People should like Sabrina, otherwise it would be boring and no one would care if I was coming back.  The only thing I have to say about the whole Twitter phenomenon is that I felt so bad because during my Creve Coeur, MO fundraising campaign, I was not allowed to say I was going back to General Hospital!  I have known for a few months.  They wanted me to hold the news ‘till it was closer to when I started taping on the show.  People on Twitter were like, “How dare you talk to us about your movie, when you are not going back to GH?”   That was so hard for me to not say anything.

MICHAEL:

And, there were some fans that were vocal saying something along the lines of, “Kimberly is wrecking the story because she won’t get off her ass, and come back to GH!” (Laughs)

KIMBERLY:

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Yes, I know!  But I have felt so lucky that people have supported me in my other endeavors.  But at the same time, I don’t expect everybody to understand it.

MICHAEL:

So it is your belief that a lot of loose ends will be tied up with Robin’s return to GH this time?

KIMBERLY:

We will be tying up a lot of loose ends, and answering a lot of questions.  For example: Dr, Obrecht being Britt’s mom.  I think that is one of those things where the writers, went, “Whoa! Wait! Hold on! Let’s do this!”  And that was great, and threw a wrench into things right when they needed it to happen.  I think it’s also brings back the espionage and the spy element, and brings that full circle.

MICHAEL:

Is Casey the Alien coming … because now I am scared!  (Laughs)

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

That would be so funny!  He is Robin’s new boyfriend, because she forgot about Patrick!  That would be hilarious!  But no, I don’t think they are bringing Casey the Alien back. (Laughs)  Here is my hope for what goes down.  What I said to Ron and Frank was, “I want Robin to turn into little Anna,” meaning I want to challenge her in such a way that she has to overcome and become a stronger woman like her mother.  There are so many ways to do that.  That is my hope.  I don’t want to be chained to a bed for longer than a week.  I don’t want to do that at all, but I understand you have to start somewhere.  I want to kick some ass, and have sex with my husband, as you do.  And by the way, Patrick still has his ring on!

MICHAEL:

What is Robin going to do about Sabrina?

KIMBERLY:

I have an idea, just because I know Robin, but I am more curious in all this to see how Sabrina would react, not Robin.  I pretty much know what Robin would do.  What can Sabrina do?  She is pretty apple pie, and the guy’s dead wife is alive!  What can she do?  She is so nice.  For example, if Britt was with Patrick right now that would be more of a fight, because Britt would be like, “Uh-uh.  That’s my man!”  But, maybe Sabrina would, too.  I don’t know.

MICHAEL:

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Everyone wants Sabrina to have a backbone!

KIMBERLY:

Maybe Sabrina will!  It is interesting, because it is not like Robin left him on purpose. We will see what happens.

MICHAEL:

What do you want to say to all the fans who helped fund your upcoming film project, Creve Coeur, MO?

KIMBERLY:

What I would like to say is, because of the fans we are well on our way to making a movie!  It is really exciting.  I know some of the fans have seen the short films I have done, but I am excited for them to see what I can do with the movie. I feel like it’s the first time people will go, “Oh! You are a director!”  As opposed to people thinking it’s a dream of mine.  This way, it’s more obvious for them to say, “Oh, so that is what you can do!”

MICHAEL:

I remember being at the AFI premiere of your first short film, Nice Guys Finish Last.  I was thinking people will be so impressed at your directing sensibilities, and your talent!  Can fans see that film somewhere?

KIMBERLY:

Photo Credit: Getty Images

I have launched my new website, and all my short films will be on there except Nice Guys Finish Last.  So eventually when AFI decides to distribute it, people might get to see it, but that was the whole thing about me going into that program.  It was a grant program, so that is why they own these artists properties.  So yes, even more people will get to see what I can actually do.  Nobody has DVD’s any more, but I do!  I love looking at the shelf and seeing American Beauty, or Green Mile up there, or whatever.  Even when you see the movie packacking on the DVD, you recall the experience of the movie. That is my dream, that someone will see the poster of Creve Coeur and go, “Oh, I loved that movie!”  I want it to be a movie that people take with them and it becomes a part of them.

MICHAEL:

Do you go to the movies all the time?

KIMBERLY:

I am a movie-goer.  I will go by myself and watch a double feature.  The first movie, I will eat a hot dog, and the second movie I will eat popcorn and M&M’s.  I am psycho about it.  I see everything, even movies I know I will hate!  I have to, because I have to know what everyone is doing, and it reflects what’s going on in our consciousness, like, “What is everyone thinking?  What is everyone’s problem?”

MICHAEL:

So what did you think of The Butler, that many have been talking about over the last few months, starring Forrest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, and directed by Lee Daniels?

KIMBERLY:

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

There were some really beautiful moments.  There were some parts that I felt like I was watching a TV movie, and that is just a general description of what I mean by that.  There were just these weird wipes to the next scene, and dissolves to black, and the rhythm to me felt off, like the way I like a movie to move.  But when I was walking out, The Butler and Fruitvale Station posters were next to each other, and both playing at this theatre.  A person said to me recently about the Trayvon Martin case, “I don’t understand why people are getting so angry and rioting. They should not be doing that.”  And I was trying to explain that this is the history, and you should ask, “Why is this happening?”  They went on to say, “I don’t understand.  We live in America and everyone is born with the same opportunities, period.”  And, which I believe is absolutely 100% wrong.  So anyway, I was walking out of the movie theatre and I saw The Butler and Fruitvale Station posters, and I was like, “Wow. We are talking about the same things. This movie is about a guy who was a butler to Eisenhower, and then Fruitvale Station, which happened in real life a few years ago.  Essentially, we are talking about similar themes.  That is why movies are so important, because they keep bringing stuff up that needs to be talked about in different ways.

MICHAEL:

As someone whose career started in soap operas and grew up in the genre, do you think soaps need to shake up the pace of their storytelling to remain au currant? Some are trying to modernize the formula in an attempt to garner new viewers, and move into a more primetime feel.

KIMBERLY:

No, not at all, and it’s only because I was there before.  I feel like there is a quality of storytelling that soaps are allowed to do, because you see it every single day, whereas other shows, they don’t have the room to draw it out, because they are on for only once a week.  Everything has to be extremely precise.  I feel like on soaps, there is more room for relationships, and almost more like you would see in a play.  I don’t feel like it has to be so contrived for today’s audience.  I think that people feel pressure to do that, and that they shouldn’t, because that is not why people watch soaps.  It can be argued that reality television viewers are the same as soap opera viewers.  I think that is partially true, so that is the argument for it, but the argument against that is people who watch soap operas are not new viewers.  They are people that have watched for 30 years, and have watched the show with their mother and their grandmother.  So those people remember the old days.  I don’t think they really need the soaps to be a new way, because they are not 16.  I would hope soaps would bring in new viewers.  Reality television is scripted, obviously, but it does not go that deep, and all of reality television relationships do not go that deep, and for the most part, all fake! (Laughs)  Soaps have a responsibility in their storytelling, and with their characters to dig deeper, because they have time to do that.  They have an hour every day.

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

MICHAEL:

What did on-screen mom, Finola Hughes say when you told her you were definitely returning to GH?

KIMBERLY:

I actually came to visit her a few weeks ago, and we had a long chat.  I think with Finola, she finds a way to do something that even in the script if it appears surfacy, she finds a way in the scenes to ground it, and dig, and make it so layered, and so interesting.  I am so excited to work with her again, because you know when someone is so detailed in their work, they force you to be better.  You can’t phone it in!  Finola never, ever, phones in it, which can be easy to do if you have been doing the same job for 20 years.  That is the mark of a true artist.  Your art speaks for you, you never let yourself relax.  What is the point in relaxing?  If you want to relax, go do your nails!  (Laughs)  Honestly, she said “Thank God you are coming back now.”   But we are friends, so it’s so much more than just about that. 

MICHAEL:

What did you think of Finola’s directorial motion picture debut, The Bet?  Did you know she also wanted to direct?

KIMBERLY:

I loved her film The Bet.  It’s beautiful, and I did know she wanted to direct.

MICHAEL:

You’re now the Port Charles mother/daughter directing team!  What happened to you girls? (Laughs)

KIMBERLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I want to write something for Finola.  I love writing, too.  I am not one of those directors who has to direct everything I write.  Maybe I will write her a dance movie!  She should go on Dancing with the Stars.  She would win!

MICHAEL:

OK Kimberly, what are your parting thoughts on your reappearance on GH?

KIMBERLY:

I am excited for the first moment when Patrick and Robin see each other.  I hope it’s not over the phone!  I hope the first meeting is a real meeting, because that would be exciting!  I truly believe that Frank knows what he is doing, and I believe he is going to give everyone a love story.