LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- GOSSIP by Lynda Hirsch on Creators.com

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LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- SUMMARY BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Steffy turns to Taylor for comfort when she tells her mother about Ridge trying to talk her into signing annulment papers so Hope and Liam can get married. Ridge secretly informs Brooke that he doesn't think that Hope and Liam …Read more. LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- GOSSIP In the mid 1980s, I received a press release from "As the World Turns." The show was trumpeting that the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and the niece of Dionne Warwick was going to appear on the show. Who was she? I thought. In …Read more. LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- Q AND A Q: How did the fundraiser that Bradley Bell, the producer of "Bold and Beautiful," held for President Obama go? — Arleta in Mill Valley, Calif. A: The event was held on Feb. 15 at the main Spanish style house of the Holmby Hills …Read more. LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- SUMMARY BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Fresh from liberating himself from Steffy, Liam and Hope promise to spend the rest of their lives together. Steffy has not lost hope of a future with Liam, thinking that he just needs time away to realize she is the one for him. …Read more.

LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- GOSSIP

Lately, this column has the feel of an obituary page. The latest death is the grand old (54) soap "As the World Turns."

CBS has canceled the show. The show will go off the air in September 2010. The production will cease in June, as the show is months ahead in its taping schedule. I had planned to devote this column to the end of this glorious show, but there is so much news this week, that will wait until next. It was reported that the show's executive producer, Chris Goutman, cried when he told the cast on Tuesday. He was not crying alone — there were tears being spilt on this keyboard. Next week, I will tell you why this show has meant and still means so much to me.

There is some good news for "All My Children" fans. Jill Larson (Opal) is once again a contract player — she is making the move to Los Angeles. Hopefully, the character will do more than just get creepy premonitions. James Mitchell (Palmer) returns to Pine Valley for a brief visit. Mitchell, who now lives in L.A., will be one of the "AMC" stars returning when the show celebrates its 40th anniversary Jan. 4 and 5.

"Bold and Beautiful's" Hunter Tylo (Taylor) was married last week in Las Vegas to Gerson Archilla. While her television persona was looking for love on the Internet, so was Tylo. Tylo found it on a Christian dating service, which she signed on to a few months ago.

Says Tylo, "God has blessed me in the most special of ways. God has redeemed my life and future. My season of sadness has ended. We are a very happy family. I welcome your blessings and well wishes!"

"B&B's" Kyle Lowder (Rick) and his wife, Arianne Zucker (Nicole "Days of Our Lives"), are new parents. Daughter Isabella and mom are doing fine.

Those folks at "Days" know how to keep a secret. It turns out that Anna (Leann Hunley) is responsible for kidnapping Sydney. The actress has been taping scenes for the past few weeks. Anna, still blaming Stefano for the death of her husband, Tony, decided to hurt Stefano in the best way she could through his children. No word on how long Hunley will be on the show.

A few recasts to report: "General Hospital" has replaced Julie Mond in the role of Dr. Lisa Niles. Mond, a blue-eyed blonde, is being replaced by the brunette Brianna Brown. Seems the show has caged its plans for Lisa and Patrick. Should Robin worry? Robin and Patrick seem a bit too happy so maybe Patrick's ex Lisa will cause some problems.

Also being recast is Will on "Days of Our Lives." Chandler Massey takes over for Dylan Micah Patton.

Over on "One Life to Live," Laura Bonarrigo and Melissa Fumero make a visit home to Gina Tognoni's Kelly Cramer sometime in the New Year. Dan Gauthier (Kevin) has signed a new long-term contract.

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.