Friends,
We’re less than two weeks away from the most consequential U.S. election in modern history (as if you weren’t acutely aware of that), so I wanted to inject some joyous nostalgia into your lives by interviewing my former castmate from General Hospital, the one and only, Kimberly McCullough.
For decades, Kim played the iconic character Robin Scorpio on the beloved soap opera where we met. Like me, Kim grew up on GH, starting out when she was just seven years old. Kimberly was sixteen when I started on the show in 1994 and to this day, she is one of the most gifted actresses I have ever worked with. As for eleven-year-old Amber, I looked up to her and saw her as my cool, on-set big sister, always observing how she handled herself and studied her craft. I would watch how she could emotionally drive a scene, conveying a multitude of feelings in the way she delivered a single line. She was always level-headed and intelligent, a woman who I looked up to for advice or wisdom about navigating scenes or set life. Off set, I was fortunate to call her my friend.
Before I got my driver’s license, Kim would often take me out to lunch; We would drive off the ABC lot together in her car that had big subwoofers in it, blasting our favorite ’90s songs like Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away,” SWV’s “I’m So Into You,” and anything by Missy Elliott, the bass making the entire car rattle and the security guards take notice on our way out. I loved it so much. She was a friend, but in retrospect, also a protector and mentor who would chaperone me when I went to see bands I loved and be by my side during events and press for the show. I was lucky to have her during those many formative years on the General Hospital set and for all the years that have followed.
Kim’s portrayal of Robin Scorpio is one for the ages. (The impact of the groundbreaking storyline she shared with actor Michael Sutton around his character’s HIV diagnosis cannot be overstated, and it would win both Kim and Michael Emmys for their incredible performances.) But, like me, she knew from a very young age that she had a lot more she wanted to contribute to the world in addition to acting. Kim left GH years after I did and became a successful writer and director, directing episodes of TV shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Bold Type, and many more. In 2019, she signed on to direct multiple episodes of the then-new Disney show that would launch Olivia Rodrigo’s career, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. And also Kim can breakdance. I’m sorry, perhaps you didn’t hear me. Let me say that again: Kimberly McCullough was a famous breakdancer. How much cooler can one woman get?
I sat down with Kimmy (as I call her) to talk about growing up on television and how that experience informed us as young women and storytellers. Plus, we went into some nostalgic deep dives about soap opera culture (and there may also be an impromptu Paperboy sing-along). Enjoy!
Love,
Amber
More from today’s conversation:
General Hospital
David Sedaris
"Hey Mr. D.J." by Zhané
"Ditty" by Paperboy
Debbie Allen
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Once and Again
So You Think You Can Dance
All My Children
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Olivia Rodrigo performs "River" on Good Morning America in 2020 (in the dress given to her by Kimberly)
Kimberly at the 1996 Emmy Awards (in the same dress, originally given to her by Francesca James)
Francesca James wearing the dress as Kitty Shea on All My Children in 1975
Joan of Arcadia
Listening in the Dark: Women Reclaiming the Power of Intuition edited by Amber Tamblyn
REMINDERS
Farewell, Further Ado (kinda): Today’s Further Ado is the last of our pre-recorded video interviews, but have no fear! All our paid series have been rolled up into our monthly get-together for paid subscribers, The Short and Sweet. Once a month, I’ll host a hangout on Zoom where we’ll have interviews, giveaways, writing workshops and more. Speaking of TSAS…
November’s The Short and Sweet: Our next Zoom get-together for paid subscribers is going to be a powerful one, taking place on November 4, the day before the U.S. election. I’ve invited my real-life bestie Dr. Mindy Nettifee to join us for some pre-Election Day central nervous system regulation and centering. Mindy is a somatic therapist specializing in trauma healing and expression. She holds a doctorate in Depth Psychology, is a poet extraordinaire, and the creator of one of my favorite newsletters, In the River of What’s Happening Now. We’ll be talking to Mindy about her work studying trauma’s effects on the voice and body, and more specifically, how to mentally and physically prepare ourselves for this election’s outcome, whatever it may be. She’ll also lead us in a somatic exercise to get us in the mood and the groove for what will undoubtedly be an intense couple of weeks to follow. Mark your calendars: Monday, November 4 from 9pm-10pm ET. (I know this is on the later side for us East Coasters, but I wanted to make sure we could accommodate as many folks across the U.S. as possible for this one!)
Note: The Zoom link will be emailed to paid subscribers thirty minutes before the start of The Short and Sweet each month. The link will also be available in a paid subscriber post on the LITD homepage during the Zoom.
