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

There will be a lot fewer lives to live on "One Life to Live" next month. For starters, the love story between Oliver and Kyle comes to a resolution in April. A spokesperson for the show gave this statement:

"The groundbreaking Kyle/Fish relationship on ONE LIFE TO LIVE was embraced by fans both as a great story and a fair and honest reflection of the LGBT community. We're glad their story resonated with the audience, and understand the fans' disappointment now that it has concluded. The show has a history of bringing LGBT stories to the screen — earning two GLAAD awards in the process — as well as returning popular characters when they serve the ongoing story. These great characters remain in Llanview, and while there are no immediate plans to advance their story, the door is always open for their return."

In response, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation stated: "When news reports broke yesterday, GLAAD spoke to ABC Daytime to voice concerns over the cancellation and advocate that the storyline continue. We remain disappointed that ABC Daytime has chosen to stop sharing this powerful story with viewers of One Life. GLAAD will continue to advocate that in the near future, producers and writers at ABC Daytime incorporate gay and transgender characters in their programming."

Nelson Branco of Canada's TV Guide had this to say about the departure: "Thanks a lot, Frank. Don't blame Brian Frons on this idiotic decision, Suds readers. Yes, in fact, I have learned it was reportedly executive producer Frank Valentini's decision to fire (Brett) Claywell and (Scott) Evans.

'We were all shocked,' says a cast member. 'And so were they.' While Suds reported last week that Evans auditioned for a pilot, it was not because he learned he had been let go. The stunned actor confirmed that on his Twitter account this week.

"So what's the real reason for 2010's dumbest decision? Well, reportedly, one of the actors' unprofessional behaviors could be to blame for the firing. 'Scenes were literally nixed because of someone's partying,' says a network source. 'Never have I seen that before. It's not all Frank's fault.'"

Yes, he is right about certain behavior being tolerated, but not forever. Take the release of Nathaniel Marston (Michael), who recently pleaded guilty to slugging a cop who tried to break up a melee in which he was allegedly involved in 2007. "But initial police accounts that he attacked a small crowd of cabbies and officers in a coke-fueled frenzy led to his firing from the popular soap, and made it tough to get new work, he told The (New York) Post today.

'I couldn't get a job as a dishwasher because I was all over The Post,' he said, laughing. Marston completed three months of court-mandated anger management as part of his deal, he said."

Marston had other rage incidents on and off the soap set. While appearing on "As the World Turns," he was arrested after dueling with an ATM. We all have wanted to, but wanting to and doing it are two different things.

Also on the "leaving Llanview" list is Scott Clifton (Schuyler). Clifton, who created the role of Dylan on "General Hospital," would be a great return for "GH."

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.