Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

It is another casting coup for "General Hospital." Scott Reeves (Ex-Ryan on "Young and Restless") joins the show in December. He is slated to play Liz's older brother, Steven Lars Webber, who will be named the hospital's chief of staff. For now, the role is recurring. Reeves, who lives with his wife, Missy (ex-Jennifer, "Days of Our Lives"), in Tennessee has his best pal, Steve Burton, (Jason, "GH") to thank for getting him back to his soap opera roots. Burton and his wife, Sheree, spent lots of time with the Reeveses earlier this year. At one point, there were rumors that Burton was exiting "GH" to move to Tennessee. During their late-night best-friend chats, Burton suggested Reeves would be great for "GH." Reeves had his agent call "GH." The show was considering bringing Steven Lars back to the show. Everyone decided Reeves would be perfect for the recurring part. Since leaving the world of soaps, Reeves has become a country western star with his group, Blue Country. With Melissa and Scott's daughter, Emily, ready for college, the duo thought it might be time to head back to the soap mix. Steven Lars is set to appear in December.

Since signing up for "GH," James Franco has been glued to his television set. Franco says, "I started watching 'General Hospital' last week." He has been paying very close attention to anyone named Cassadine and Jason. The name of his character has yet to be revealed, but he will be part of the Cassadine clan. The heartthrob will be tangling with Jason.

Franco has also revealed that several of the Hollywood set is telling him they love to watch daytime.

GSN thinks soap stars are good for ratings. "Catch-21" featured several soap stars last month. Now "The Newlywed Game" is featuring soap stars during its celebrity episodes. On Nov. 2, "Young and Restless'" Thad Luckinbill (J.T.) and real-life wife Amelia Heinle (Victoria) will get grilled on how much they know about each other. With Heinle expecting the couple's second child (she has a son by first husband Michael Weatherly), she is set for maternity leave. "Bold and Beautiful's" Ronn Moss and his wife, Devin, are set to appear in January. The winning newlyweds will earn $10,000 for the charity of their choice.

"Guiding Light's" Marcy Rylan (Lizzie) and her fiance, Don Money, welcomed a brand-new baby boy, Jackson Robert, earlier this week. Rylan, who moved to Los Angles since "GL" was canceled, is rumored to have been meeting with casting folks at "All My Children."

In honor of its move to L.A. and its 40th anniversary, "AMC" is getting a new opening. It has partnered with NBC affiliate WDIV Local 4 and the MGM Grand Detroit to hold its first-ever talent and fan search in Detroit, Nov. 13-14. The biggest "Days" fan will win a trip to Hollywood and a visit to the "Days" set. Promising actors will have the chance to win a role on the show. "Days" is collaborating with Gleaners Community Food Bank for events through the week leading up to the main function on Friday. All participants are encouraged to bring a can of food or non-perishable donation to the event.

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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