Lynda Hirsch on Television

In the "too little too late" department, Paul Anthony Stewart is set to reprise the role of Danny on "Guiding Light." When the character was the hot guy with a focal-point story line and a romantic love story, the character was dropped. Those are the decisions that took a great show and gutted it. Hopefully "GL" will find another home. The show was canceled by CBS after a 72-year life span. Stewart, a consummate stage actor, received rave reviews for his work in the Cleveland Playhouse production of "Crime and Punishment." Asked at the time if he would consider a return to "GL," he said: "I loved the character. He really was multilayered. Great cast and crew. There is one problem: I haven't been asked. So I can't answer the questions." Well, they did and he said yes. Look for a return in May. The role of Michelle Bauer, the love of Danny's life, is also set to return. That role will be recast.

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"Days of Our Lives" has signed a major star to play Owen's father. Gordon Thomson, who played the ne'er-do-well son on "Dynasty," heads to "Days" in May. His character will create havoc, tension and angst for Owen. He also played an archeologist on "Ryan's Hope" and was Mason Capwell on "Santa Barbara," replacing Lane Davies. When he was playing "Dynasty's" Adam, Thomson recalled his first meeting with Joan Collins, who played his mother, Alexis. "She called me over. 'Darling,' she said, 'I heard you are going to be my son. That is ridiculous; you are much too old. We can fix that.

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"All My Children's" head writer, Charles Pratt Jr., says his May sweeps will really show what he has been working toward since replacing Megan McTavish. "When you take over a soap," explains Pratt, "you just cannot dump every story line. There were plots that needed to be wrapped up. Some plots needed to be advanced. This May, I take all credit and blame for what will be on screen." Pratt promises more of Michael E. Knight (Tad). "We know he is a loving father. Tad has always had a fun side. It is time to bring that back. A major occurrence in his life will bring about a major physical change for him. With that change will come the merging of Tad the Cad and Tad the Dad." Also, a major character is going to be killed off. There has been lots of speculation elsewhere as who is going to literally be axed. We don't deal in guesses, so we will not speculate. Just be sure to tune in to "AMC" in May. It will be like watching a whole new soap but with it going back to basics.

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"One Life to Live," you are killing me. You bring A Martinez (Ray) on in a wonderful story line. You take him off. You bring him back. Now word is he is getting ready to leave again. You are doing the same with Tuc Watkins (David). It is hard to invest in characters and then see them come and go. Also, it is time to see more Viki and Charlie.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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