OnlineHost: Welcome!  Today we're talking with Becky Herbst, GH's Liz Webber.  Currently, Liz is helping Lucky and Nikolas in their quest to uncover Emily's blackmailer.  Liz is also enjoying a budding romance with Lucky, who helped her through her greatest crisis.  Welcome Becky!

ABCStar: Hi everyone.  This is ABCTim.  Becky is on the phone with me and from now on, the words will be hers.  Let's take the first question.....

Question: Becky, do you have an email address where the fans can communicate with you?

ABCStar: No, I don't unfortunately.  I don't spend as much time on the computer as I would like to.

Question: Are you and Jonathan Jackson going out?

ABCStar: No, we're not.  We're just good friends.

Question: I read that you were dating Ingo.  Are you still dating him?

ABCStar: No, we're not dating either.

Question: Do you like the way your storyline is evolving?

ABCStar: Yes I do.  I'm really enjoying the storyline.  It gives me a chance to play Liz in several different ways.

Question: Is this whole blackmailer story line going to let us know who raped Liz?

ABCStar: You will have to wait and see!

Question: Becky, really love your portrayal of Elizabeth Webber.  Looks like Emmy material to me.  Read in your bio on GH web site you have many animals. What do you have and what is your favorite?

ABCStar: I have 4 cats, 2 dogs, 1 rabbit and 1 squirrel.  The squirrel is definitely my baby.


Question: Who do you see as a possible mate for Liz besides Lucky?  From Jenrumor

ABCStar: Elizabeth doesn't have eyes for anyone else.

Question: Is there any actor on the show that you would like to work with that you haven't worked with yet or you don't often get a chance to work with?

ABCStar: Billy Warlock (AJ).  I think he's an amazing actor.

Question: What is it like working with Jonathan Jackson?

ABCStar: I couldn't have asked for a better acting partner.

Question: Becky, I have a 13 year old daughter and she loves you guys.  Are you proud of the story line?  It is so true to life, was it hard to do?  Mommyboop

ABCStar: I'm extremely proud at the direction the storyline has taken.  I feel that it has helped several young women out there cope with rape as I learned in my fan mail.

Question: Hi Becky.  I am Kourtney.  My questions are, How has General Hospital impacted and changed your life?  Do you plan on staying on the show for a long time?  And is it hard to not blush being around all of those hot guys on the set?

ABCStar: I feel blessed being part of the GH family.  As an actor, I'm grateful I have a steady job.  And yes, I blush everyday when I go to work.

Question: Hey, what is your favorite tv show?

ABCStar: Ally McBeal.  I'd love to be on a show like that one day.

Question: Becky, I read somewhere that you do quite a bit of impressive sewing.....could you offer me any tips, as I am a first-time quilter....making a quilt for my best friend's first baby.  You and Jonathan are FABULOUS!!  What are your other interests?

ABCStar: I don't have any specific tips because I am a beginner myself.  Everything I learned I  learned from my mother.  I love to do interior designing.

Question: Is there anything particular story you would like to see your character have?

ABCStar: I would like to the budding romance between Lucky and Liz move into something greater.

Question: What are Tyler Christopher and Amber Tamblyn like to work with?

ABCStar: Amber is a little ball of energy.  She brings a lot of life to the set.  Tyler is a comedian in his own quiet way.

Question: What has been your favorite character to play yet in your career?

ABCStar: Definitely Elizabeth Webber because playing her allows me to stretch my acting abilities.

Question: Becky, do you sing at all, and do you know of any secrets for a starter to get started. (or any helpful info?)

ABCStar: I have the worst voice in the world!

Question: Becky...who was your biggest influence in your life?

ABCStar: My mother -- I wouldn't be where I am today without her and the support of my family

.Question: Becky, how old are you, and what's you zodiac sign?

ABCStar: I'm 21 and a Taurus.

Question: Your acting has been phenomenal throughout the entire rape storyline.  What would winning an Emmy mean to you?

ABCStar: It's a little premature to think about it at this point, but it would be one of my greatest achievements so far.

Question: Hi Becky.  You are a great actress.  What was your first acting experience?

ABCStar: I was 6 years old and I did a commercial for Banner toilet paper.

Question: You are such a gifted actress!  Your storyline is so real!  Was it hard to portray such a difference in your character?

ABCStar: Thank you.  Yes is was difficult but the challenge was exciting.

Question: Becky, I really enjoy your work on GH and I think that you and Lucky make a wonderful couple.  Do you think that Liz will ever find closure with her rape?

ABCStar: Even if she does find out who her rapist is, it will always remain a part of her life.  I don't think people who have been raped find 100% closure.

Question: What is it like playing someone younger that you are?

ABCStar: Considering the fact that I look so much younger than I really am, I have never played my real age.  Since I was 15 at one point in my life, it comes naturally to me.

Question: Hi Becky, do you have a favorite scene you've done at GH so far?  By the way, you've been incredible, it's a joy to watch you and Jonathan. :-) Jen

ABCStar: There are some scenes airing in the next couple of weeks that mean the most to me.

Question: Will you be at soap weekend?

ABCStar: Yes.  I'm very excited to be going to Super Soap Weekend!

Question: Your scenes with Genie Francis have been great.  What is she like to work with?

ABCStar: I love working with Genie.  We connect really well during our scenes.

Question: Becky, have you ever considered going into modeling?

ABCStar: Never.  Modeling has never been my thing.

Question: Becky what should the viewers expect to see in the future for Lucky and Liz?

ABCStar: You'll have to stay tuned!

Question: How many times did you shoot the first kiss scene?

ABCStar: Three times.  Jonathan came up with some great ideas and we tried it his way a few times.  That is what ended up airing.

Question: What kind of music do you listen to Becky?

ABCStar: All kinds, except for hard rock.  I am partial to music I can dance to and country music.

Question: I am sure I remember you on a sitcom as someones friend maybe?  What other acting jobs may I be thinking of?

ABCStar: I've done several small parts on sitcoms. I did 7 episodes of Brotherly Love.  I also did Boy Meets World, Step By Step and Sister, Sister.

Question: Are you dating anyone?

ABCStar: No, I'm not at the moment.

Question: Is GH the first soap you have ever been on?

ABCStar: No, I did a bit part playing an AIDS patient on Days Of Our Lives.

Question: What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

ABCStar: I haven't decided yet but I'm thinking about being an angel, a fairy or a super hero.

Question: Becky, do you think you'll be in any movies sometime?

ABCStar: Of course I would love to do movies one day, especially period pieces.

Question: How did you start acting?  Did you take classes?

ABCStar: I started by doing commercials as a child.

Question: The whole GH cast is really talented. How does it feel working with such an incredible cast?

ABCStar: I was extremely intimidated to work with Tony Geary and Genie Francis in the beginning but that changed.  I feel so blessed and privileged to work with this incredible cast.

Question: Hey Rebecca!  I totally loved the way you did the rape storyline.  Did you have to research anything like Kimberly McCullough did for her AIDS storyline?

ABCStar: I spent hours on the phone with the writer, Michele Val Jean, who is a rape survivor herself.

Question: Do you or anyone from GH ever read the GH message boards and if so what do you think?

ABCStar: No, I don't read them.

Question: Was it really embarrassing doing your first kissing scene with "Lucky"?

ABCStar: Embarrassed isn't the word, but I couldn't have been more nervous.

Question: Do you like the new Liz or the old bad girl Liz better?

ABCStar: I like the new Liz, but that bad girl didn't completely go away.

Question: Are you and Ingo Rademacher good friends off the show?

ABCStar: Extremely good friends.

Question: Did pretending to be raped (Liz) change the way you look at things?

ABCStar: Absolutely.  I'm more aware of where I am and who I'm with.

Question: Who do you hang out with on the show?

ABCStar: I hang out with Amber Tamblyn and Ingo.

Question: Becky, what did it take for you to prep for the role you play as a rape victim?  Cynthia

ABCStar: I tried not to think about it until I actually had to do it.  When the time came, I just wanted to  do it and get it over with.

Question: What's your favorite aspect of your character?

ABCStar: I like that she has a spirited yet devious side to her.  Through the course of the past 6 months I like the fact she's become a more compassionate and emotional 15 year old.ABCStar: ABCTim here.  We have time for one more.....

Question: How do you spend your spare time?

ABCStar: I enjoy staying at home and doing anything outdoors.  I love to roller blade!

ABCStar: Thanks for joining us everyone!  See you at Super Soap!

Rebecca Herbst: Thank you for having me. I'm glad to be with you all.

Question: Hi Becky.  There's a scoop going around that the first kiss will be Sept. 15th.  Is it true?

RH: You know, I'm not really sure of the date.  But in the next couple of weeks you guys will be
pretty happy.  It will be a surprise!

Q: Hi Becky, I'm a huge fan of yours!!  Your portrayal of Liz on GH is awesome!  I was wondering
what  your feelings are on the rape storyline, and if it's changed your personality?

RH: First off,  I just want to say that I am so grateful to be able to portray such an intense storyline
and I thank the writers for that.  And it has changed my personal life in that I am more aware of who
I am with and where I am and my surroundings.

Q: Do you and Jonathan Jackson have a good off-screen relationship?

RH: Oh yeah, we have a wonderful friendship.  It has taken us longer to be friends as Becky and
Jonathan than Liz and Lucky because of the majority of time we spend together in character.

Q: Becky, as one of GH's biggest fans, I would like to know if the rapist will ever be revealed?

RH: That I cannot tell you. The writers have not disclosed that to me

Q: Do you like the way the writers changed your character?

RH: I love the way the writers have changed my character.  From an actor's point of view it's so
nice to be able to play several types of characters.  She went from being a bad girl, to somebody
who didn't want to come out of her house, to somebody who is determined to find her rapist, and
now she is falling in love.  I think it's wonderful.

Q: Is there any truth to the speculation that you and JJ are more than friends?

RH: LOL!!  No, we're just friends.

Q: Are you still dating Ingo?

RH: No. LOL!  But, like Jonathan, we are really good friends.

Q: Becky, as a former figure skater myself,  I was wondering if you do still take the time out to get a
good skate in every once in a while?

RH: Not as much as I'd like to, but for recreational purposes I do.

Q: Hi!!  I was wondering who on the show you'd like to work with more?

RH: I like to work with everybody.  Jonathan is my favorite, though.

Q: Becky, where do you see Liz a year from now?

RH: I don't know, but I hope the friendship between Liz and Lucky blossoms further.

Q: Do you have any pets?

RH: I have four cats, two dogs, a rabbit, and a squirrel.  I do have a farm.

Q: Becky, how did you prepare to work up for the rape scenes?  And did it take a lot out of you at
the end of the day?

RH: What I pooled from as an actor, I got from one of the writers, Michele Val Jean, she had a
similar experience as Liz, and we had several talks about it, and that's how we prepared.  At the end
of the day, I was completely drained, went home and slept 14 hours.

Q: Please tell me there won't be any Nik/Liz/Lucky triangles coming up!  I couldn't stand that.

RH: LOL I have no idea if that's going to happen or not.

Q: Do you plan on staying on GH for a while? (That's one of my questions)

RH: I definitely will be here for another couple of years.

Q: I'm VP of a Lucky and Liz club, and recently we sent out a newsletter with comments about your
rape and some of them came from girls who had been previously sexually assaulted.  Does it touch
you to know that people use Liz's rape experience as a way to somehow see that they can get past
their rape? (Another one of mine)

RH: Oh, definitely.  If I can help somebody by doing what I love, then I have basically
accomplished my goal in life.

Q: Do a lot of people recognize you when you go out?

RH: A few, but just a few, not many.

Q: Becky- I have to say you have been doing a great job- the scenes this week with Rachel Ames
were wonderful- I was reaching for the Kleenex.  Do you find it intimidating working with these long
time seasoned professionals?

RH: At first I did, but now I just try and learn from them.  But Tony Geary I'm still intimidated by.

Q: Fans of GH have watched Lucky grow up on the show, and now he's in his FIRST romantic
storyline opposite you.  This is a big thing.  Does that make you nervous in any way?

RH: No, because the feedback has all been pretty positive.  It seems that everybody wants there to
be a relationship between Lucky and Liz.

Q: Of all your male castmates, who would you want to have stranded on a desert island?

RH: There are so many, I couldn't decide.

Q: What's it like working with such hotties?  How do you concentrate?

RH: It's very difficult concentrating at times, but I manage.  It gets me out of bed in the morning,
that's for sure.

Q: Who do you most admire?

RH: As of right now, personally, my mother.  She has done so much with her life and has helped me
in so many ways.  I hope to be able to follow in her footsteps as a mother one day. I also admire
Jonathan, because he has grown up on GH. I find it amazing that any child can grow up on a show
and still have a level head and good morals.

Q: What kinds of roles do you dream to play?

RH: Anything to do with a period piece.  Like in the 1920s.

Q: Hey Liz, I am a total fan and I think u and Lucky look so cute together.  From the 1st day I
watched it, I only would watch it if u and Lucky were on.  How is it to be a star?  I have always
wanted to act on soap operas.

RH: I don't consider myself a star at all.  I just consider myself to be extremely blessed with doing a
job that I absolutely love.

Q: Do you think soaps will be a lifetime thing for you, or are you interested in a film career?

RH: I'm definitely interested in a film career, but I'm happy where I am right now.

Q: Hi Becky. How does your typical work day go at GH? Do a lot of fans come to the set to visit?

RH: Not really.  My work calls vary every day.  But I spend an hour and a half in hair and makeup.
And then I get dressed, go up on the set, and do my thing, and go home, and generally I'm in and out
of there within five hours.

Q: How old r u?  Because I know that Jonathan Jackson is 16.

RH: I am 21.  And my b-day is the day after Jonathan's.

Q: I want to become an actress. Any advice to someone starting out?

RH: If you love something enough and you are determined enough to do it, never give up on your
dreams, and if it's meant to be, it will happen.

Q: Have you ever had stage fright?

RH: No, I'm very comfortable in front of the camera.  I do get stage fright when I have to speak in
front of people as Becky, not as my character.

Q: Is Jonathan Jackson as poised, intelligent, sweet, and gorgeous as he appears to be?

RH: All that and more.

Q: Do you see Liz ever not dressing the way she does now, the overalls and all?

RH: Sure, as she grows up, and gets past the rape ordeal, then sure!

Q: Is it strange working with someone much younger, especially when it comes to the romance
scenes?

RH: No, I don't look at Jonathan as being 16.  He's extremely mature for his age.  When we are Liz
and Lucky, I feel that we're on the same level.

Q: Is it really hard working on a soap opera?

RH: For me, no, it's not hard, because I am so in love with my job. I could be there for 15 hours
and still enjoy it

Q: Becky, do you ever regret giving up skating for acting?

RH: Never.  Skating is not what's in my heart.  Acting is.

Q: Tell us about going to Knotts Berry Farm together [with Jonathan].

RH: I had a great day.  It was a lot of fun being able to be with Jonathan and his family outside of
the work environment.

Q: Is it hard to switch back and forth between Liz and yourself?

RH: Who's Liz?  No, the minute a scene is over, I'm right back to Becky.

Q: Was it hard to get into the bad girl role?

RH: No, I was playing out a role I never got to do at home.  Because I would have been grounded
for the next five months.

Q: Do you have other interests than acting?

RH: Design.  I'm very into fashion and design.  As some of you know, I love to make my own
clothing, especially evening dresses, like gowns.

Q: Is there a future for you as a fashion designer?

RH: I sure hope so.  I'm not pushing the design thing, but if it happens for me, it happens, and I will
continue to design my own clothing as long as I can.

Q: Are the writers of GH ever going to bring Liz's parents to the show?

RH: No, not to my knowledge.

Q: Rebecca, do you personally respond to your fan mail?

RH: Yes, I do.  I read every single letter, and I try to respond to everyone the best I can.

Q: When did you decide you wanted to become an actress?

RH: When I was six years old, I knew that I wanted to do commercials, and when I actually
decided that this was going to be my career was probably not until high school, at 16 or 17.

Q: Do you use the Internet a lot?

RH: No, not as much as I'd like to.  There will be times where my mom and I will sit at the
computer for hours, but not even on a weekly basis.

Q: Do you ever feel any pressure?  I mean Liz and Lucky are being compared to Luke and Laura,
one of the greatest supercouples in soap history!  Do you worry that you won't live up to people's
standards?

RH: No, I've never felt the pressure.  I do feel the comparison between Liz and Lucky and Luke
and Laura.  But I have the faith that Liz and Lucky will live up to everyone's expectations.

Q: Becky, has your 1st year on GH been everything you thought it would be?

RH: Oh gee, everything and more.  The experience has been so overwhelming I can't express it in
words.

Mediator: Becky, thanks for joining us tonight.  We hope you can join us again sometime in the
near future.

RH: Thank you for having me!  I enjoyed my time with you, and I hope we can do it again!
         (Thanks to Ellen, aka Philmaniac@aol.com, for providing me with this typed transcript)