It sounds short-term, but it looks like our Robin is getting herself a storyline! Here are some details provided by Soap Opera Source.

General Hospital has cast four time Emmy winner Michael Learned in a short term role as a cancer patient who will interact with some of the staff at the hospital. According to the report from Soap Opera Digest, Learned will share scenes with Robin (Kimberly McCullough), Patrick (Jason Thompson) and Lisa (Brianna Brown), in addition to some of the other hospital staff.

Probably best known for her role on The Waltons as Mrs. Olivia Walton from 1972-79, she also appeared on ABC’s All My Children and One Life to Live in 2005 as the Honorable Judge Turner. Some of her other television credits include, St. Elsewhere (1984), Hothouse (1988), Murder, She Wrote (1989), Who’s The Boss (1989), Profiler (1998), and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2003). More recently she appeared on the hit NBC series, Scrubs (2006-09) as Ms. Wilk.

Learned has also been nominated for four Golden Globes (Best TV Actress – Drama in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976) for her portrayal of Mrs. Olivia Walton. In addition, she also garnered multiple Emmy nominations (1973-78; 1981-1982), winning in 1973 for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama Series – Continuing) for her role on The Waltons. In 1974 and 1976 she received wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, also for The Waltons series. In 1982, she received an Emmy win (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series) for her portrayal on the television series, Nurse.

Learned’s stay at GH will be short term and she will begin taping in mid-March and air in early April.

You’ve heard the anvils. Patrick and Louise recently name-dropping an ex-girlfriend we’ve never heard about Patrick having back in his college days wasn’t so random. While even Pervy Pete never mentioned this gal, she’s been cast now. Lisa Niles, bff of Port Charles’ new ADA Louise, will be played by Julie Mond, according to Soap Central. Upon the re-signing of Kimberly & Jason’s contracts, they are now getting a new story with the one-time Cold Case and CSI: NY guest star first airing as Robin & Patrick’s latest interloper on November 18th. Oh, joy.

ABC recently asked fans what they wanted to see with Robin & Patrick’s storyline. Just sayin’, 3rd party involvement wasn’t a particularly popular option with fans…

Week of October 5, 2009

View them at the gallery here.