BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Remembering Lila - And Anna Lee

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GH's McCullough: She's "Flattered," But...

(thanks to Renee for this!)

General Hospital pays tribute to the late Anna Lee and her beloved character, Lila, this week with a moving memorial service.  The episodes are set to air July 15 and 16.

"[The writers] have used the passing of Anna to create a script and tribute that is as good as anything I've seen in the 27 years that I've been here," declares Stuart Damon (Alan).  "It serves Anna, it serves the show.  The great thing about it is that it shows the history of this show and the relationships between people...The histories of Alan's character, Tracy's character and Monica's character are really paid attention to."

Past GH stars invited back for the memorial include Vanessa Marcil (Brenda, who was unable to get out of her contract with NBC's Las Vegas), Lynn Herring (Lucy), Hon Robert Lindstrom (Kevin) and Kimberly McCullough (Robin).

"I said, 'Absolutely,' I didn't even have to think about it," shared McCullough between takes.  "It's my way of honoring Anna Lee and her contribution to the show.  She was such a sweetheart.  She never forgot a birthday of mine.  She always had a gift for me.  She was so caring."

McCullough enthused that it was "great to see people.  The person I had most of my scenes with was Maurice Bernard (Sonny), and I keep in touch with him.  It's great fun to be able to work with a friend.  And I have a scene with Steve Burton," noted McCullough, adding that fans can look forward to things getting resolved between Robin and Jason "to a point.  Both of them apologize in their own way."

Herring agreed to come back as Lucy on one condition: "If [the script] was honoring Lila and Anna, and it's awesome," she raved of Elizabeth Korte's episode.  "It's such a nice thing having an opportunity to say goodbye as Lucy in a red dress.  I loved it."  Herring knew taping would be tough.  "I read Tracey's eulogy because I knew it would be special.  I told Jane Elliot, 'I don't think I'm going to be able get through it.'"

Lindstrom was honored to be asked back, too. He recalled meeting Lee at a part when he first joined the show.  "I walked over and said, 'Hello, Anna.  My name is Jon Lindstrom.  It's a great pleasure to meet you.'  She said, 'Oh thank you so much. So lovely to meet you.  Now, tell me, what are those waiters serving?'  I said, 'It looks like they're passing around white wine and champagne.  May I get you one?'  She said, 'Yes, I'll have a vodka and tonic, very little tonic.'  We bonded ever since."

Clearly, Lee was not the dainty flower that Lila was.  "I talk about her sense of humor and the fact that it was never in appropriate or insensitive or rude.  Oh my God!  That couldn't be further from the truth," chuckled Damon.  "She had the most wicked sense of humor."

"Anna was feisty," seconded Herring.  "She used to call that thing she wore in her hair all the time her turd.  She'd say, 'Where's my turd?'  She'd pick it up and joke with it.  'How come you don't have to wear a turd?'"

Even Scott Clifton (Dillon), who never got to share a scene with Lee, can vouch for her wild side.  "I met her my first day.  She said, 'Nice to meet you.  You're in good hands.'  Then, she proceeded to tell the hairdresser that if he burned her hair with the curling iron, she would kick him in the b---s.  I was an Anna Lee fan for life."

Picture of Robin and Jason from the memorial service: "Lila's death brings Jason and Robin together again."

Cover picture of Robin and Jason from the memorial service, along with a picture of Anna Lee: "Robin returns!"

GH's McCullough: She's "Flattered," But...

Although it's been years since Kimberly McCullough graced the General Hospital screen as Robin Scorpio - she last appeared in 1998 - mail continues to flood the SOAP OPERA WEEKLY offices asking about her possible return to the show.

"It's crazy!" exclaims McCullough, "I have a Website and I get emails from fans writing me about all these petitions to get me to come back. It's flattering.  I grew up on [on GH], so [I guess] there's a different type of attachment than to adult being on the show for a long time.  [Viewers] feel protective of my character and want to know that she's okay. Especially because Robin is HIV positive.

That said, fans shouldn't get their hopes up about McCullough resurfacing - she has too many irons in the fire. " I started making my short film," she enthuses, "It's almost finished.  I also just did an independent film called Inn Trouble and I'm pretty sure I'm going back to Joan of Arcadia next season."

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