Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

Get out your banjo — it's time for a chorus of "we are taking the character in another direction" blues. "Young and Restless'" William Russ (Tucker), who joined the show Dec. 2, has been replaced by Stephen Nichols (ex-Patch, "Days of Our Lives"). Nichols began taping Dec. 17, with his first airdate set for Jan. 27.

A statement from the show's producers cites taking the character in a — guess what — "different direction." Co-exec producer/head writer Maria Arena Bell says: "William Russ is a talented actor and we enjoyed working with him. However, we decided to take the character in another direction." Adds co-exec producer Paul Rauch: "Russ did a wonderful job while he was here."

Nichols got a big surprise on his first day of taping. Says Nichols: "When I went to my dressing room for the first time, I found a note William Russ left for me on top of the television, telling me to have a great time in the role and hoping that everything goes well for me. I had some great scenes today with Jess Walton (Jill) and Jeanne Cooper (Kay) and Daniel Goddard (Cane).

"Tucker is coming in to take away everybody's toys. I really like this guy. He did not come from money but rather he's a self-made success, regular guys who can tend bar and shoot pool and talk s—- with anybody. He's very unassuming in many ways."

"Days" fans hoping for a Patch redux will be disappointed. Nichols will give a different take on this character. He is a consummate actor. He won several acting awards for playing late rock idol Jim Morrison. When Nichols returned to "Days" last year, he was given poor story lines, and by the end of his stay, little airtime.

That will not happen with his "Y&R" gig. It will be interesting to watch Nichols interact with Victor (Eric Braeden). Both will be playing powerhouse billionaires who know how to get what they want. It is doubtful that the character of Tucker will take kindly to "you got that?" mini-speeches from Victor.

Will somebody tell me why James Franco taking a role on "General Hospital" seems akin to his deciding to work at a highway toll booth? Article after article keeps saying, "Why a soap?" It is acting, folks. Ask anyone who has done one. The work is fast, demanding and you have to think on your feet. Actors who go from soap to primetime often complain that their days on a movie set or primetime show are boring. A soap actor truly gets to think on his feet. He does not have the luxury of doing a five-line scene 13 different ways. I am not implying that working quickly makes a genre better, but it is a fact of soap life. Next to the stage, daytime really is an actor's medium. There is no cut and pasting, as can be done in a movie. Films can be like photo shop: all the work can be done in editing. Not on a soap. An actor is allowed to make acting choices on his own. Yes, he has guidance from the director, but the pace is quick and the soap director can not spend days on a scene.

Speaking of scenes, how great was the one on "General Hospital" where Jason (Steve Burton) told Michael he was — and I quote — "acting like a little b——." He made him stand up and apologize to Carly for being a brat. Jason went on to tell him if did not go to school, he was going to make him. My next-door neighbor wants Jason to come to her house and get her kids in line.

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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