Checking Into ‘General Hospital’

Welcome to Port Charles: home of Brenda, Dante, Patrick, Lisa, Dr. Webber and the newest cast member. That’s right, yours truly.

As we entered the studio where General Hospital tapes its episodes, we just checked in with wardrobe first.

They gave me my own scrubs and my own badge with a picture that looks kind of like me.

The name on it reads ?Barbara Williams,? so, i’m going by Barb, today.

After dressing for my part, it’s time to start practicing my line.

But, wait a minute. If you see me practicing, that’ll ruin the cliffhanger. All I can tell you is this: I needed to find a cure for the butterflies in my stomach.

At least I was on a hospital set, so a cure couldn’t be too hard to find.

We decided to wander the halls and get some advice from veteran soap stars and maybe even some insight into some upcoming twists and turns on the show.

We found a familiar and friendly face! Not only do we know Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo as Brenda Barrett, but you might recognize her from around the Coachella Valley.

“I was born in Indio and grew up on Dillon Street, right by Max’s Meat Market,? Vanessa said.

After high school, Vanessa went to College of the Desert where she studied psychology. It?s something that comes in handy when it comes to handling all of the psychological warfare going on at General Hospital.

“I think that’s really fun to not know what’s going to happen and to guess what one of the many secrets may be,? she said. ?Secrets are always fun.”

The big secret everyone wants to find out: Brenda’s connection to Dante.

That reminds me, I need some help with my line, so it doesn’t come back to haunt me.

Maybe Dr. Patrick Drake can cure my jitters before my big scene with little Spencer.

“You’ll be fine,? said Jason Thompson, who plays Dr. Patrick Drake. ?Spencer’s a good kid, but I definitely would not screw that up, because Nikolas is on the board at the hospital and as quick as you put on those scrubs, they can be taken off.”

Thank you, Doc! Just when I started to feel better.

Time to turn the tables.

What’s going to happen with your relationship with Robin after you cheated with Lisa, I asked.

“I do think that couple, Patrick and Robin can be stronger than they were before,? said Thompson. ?It’s kind of sad because it has happened and it’ll never be the same but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

Scott Reeves, also known as Dr. Webber, says despite all the drama you see on-camera, behind-the-scenes he couldn’t ask for a better cast of characters to work with.

“Everybody wants everybody to do the best job possible,? Reeves said. ?So, that’s what’s going to make it really easy for you to jump in there today and be supported.”

That’s all I needed to hear!

Now, I’m ready to head to the set and do this!

While waiting for my big moment, I ran into Vanessa again who may have been in character at that point.

“Don’t mess up! Whatever you do, don’t mess up,? she said.

No problem!

Like Dr. Webber said, ?I’m in good hands.?

After one rehearsal and a quick little touch-up, it’s now or never.

Time to roll.

I taped my scene, and it went really well ? the line came from my mouth and it was perfect.

But it?s a scene you’ll never see.

It ended up on the cutting room floor.

That’s show business!

Be sure to watch General Hospital Friday at 2 p.m. to see if you can spot me in the nurse;s hub with Brenda and Nikolas.

Also, a big thank you to the cast who helped make my stay at General Hospital a comfortable one.