Lynda Hirsch on Television

I live in Cleveland. When most people think of Cleveland, they think the town that lost LeBron James, the town with the oldest new football team, the town of bad weather, the town of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and, yes, the town where a river caught on fire. Until this week.

Cleveland will now be known as the city where three woman were held captive for a decade and police made the Pine Valley police force look like the FBI.

It is apt that I use Pine Valley as the example. One of the major storylines involves the kidnapping and entrapment of women by the Russian mob.

It is not rare that art imitates life. After the Boston Marathon bombing, NBC pulled a "Hannibal" episode that dealt with mentally unstable terrorists, as it was too close to the real unfolding tragedy.

When 9/11 occurred, "All My Children" was featuring a story that had Janet bombing the city. The story was cut short. Robin Mattson, who played Janet, talked ABC into letting her do a PSA expressing their grief over the storyline and why it was being truncated.

That was in at time when a show was taped every day. Those days are gone. Many shows, including "All My Children," are taped months in advance. "AMC" has a five-week-on, five-week-off taping schedule with "One Life to Live."

So the story will go on. It even brings Billy Clyde Tuggle back from the dead, as he helps Jesse and Zach search for the abducted Cassandra.

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"Young and Restless" will air a special tribute episode to the late Jeanne Cooper on May 28. Cast members, friends and family of the beloved actress will gather on set next week to shoot a celebration of the life of their late friend, who passed away this week at the age of 84.

Cooper, the Emmy Award-winning actress who portrayed Katherine Chancellor for more than 39 years, was the show's longest-running cast member.

As part of the tribute episode, the cast of "Y&R" will share their favorite memories of working with Cooper, along with personal recollections of their friendships with her. Additionally, interviews with Cooper from the show's recent 40th anniversary and classic clips of her years on the daytime drama will be included.

"Jeanne Cooper was a legend, and we want to give her the tribute she deserves," said Angelica McDaniel, senior vice president, daytime. "The cast will honor their longtime friend, family member and co-worker in the greatest way possible, as we celebrate her life and vibrant spirit, and share it with the audience who loved her as much as we did."

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Ricky Paull Goldin said no to a return as Jake on the "All My Children" Prospect Park reboot. He could not say to no Brad Bell when he asked him to join "Bold and Beautiful" as Maya's no-goodnik boyfriend Jesse. The actor thought his desire to act was over. Having worked on "Y&R" with Bill Bell Sr., he could not turn down the chance to go back in front of the camera.

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

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