Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

Q: I was born profoundly deaf. I was excited when I learned Marlee Matlin, who is also deaf, was going to be a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." It got me wondering if soaps have ever done a story line based around someone with hearing issues. — Katrina in Lisbon, Ohio

A: Two soaps spring to mind. In the mid-1970s, "Search for Tomorrow" had a story that focused on a deaf patient who fell in love with her doctor. The story line ended when the couple sailed off into the sunset. Linda Bove, who was born deaf and has deaf parents, had the role. Bove spent several years on "Sesame Street" playing Linda, the deaf librarian. Bove also had the stage role that won Matlin an Academy Award playing for the deaf lead in "Children of a Lesser God." In the late 1990s, "Guiding Light" had Rick Bauer fall in love with a deaf Amish girl named Abby. Amy Ecklund, who had the role, is deaf in real life. The GL character and the actress underwent cochlear implant surgery. At the time, Ecklund who was just getting adjusted to hearing, recalled, "When I heard my pillowcases ruffle, I was terrified. I had never heard a sound. In retrospect, it sounded like an explosion. " Both the character Abby and the actress Amy give speeches about implants: the way they can change a life and the work it takes after the implants.

Q: As a longtime viewer of "Days of Our Lives," the story line with Belle and Shawn going off to sail the seven seas sounds very familiar.

Have I seen this story before? — Regina in Vancouver, B.C.

A: Yes, and it was on "Days." About 15 years ago, Doug and Julie (Hope's parents) left Salem to get to know each other while sailing the world. From time to time, Doug and Julie would pop up in some exotic spot. In fact, one story line set in Tahiti became a long-term plot. When that story ended, Julie and Doug continued their sailing. Every once in a while, a member of their Salem family would get a postcard from Bora Bora.

Q: I have never watched "Young and Restless." I have always been an "All My Children" fan. They are on at the same time. While I was visiting a cousin, she put on "Young and Restless." I know the actor who plays Jack was on AMC. Since my cousin has never watched the show, she is of no help. Who was he on AMC? — Verna in Modesto, Calif.

A: Peter Bergman, who has won two Emmys playing Jack over two decades, got his soap opera start on "All My Children." He played the heroic Dr. Cliff Warner. Bergman was so identified with the role, he became famous for the commercial that began, "I may play a doctor on TV, but I am not a doctor in real life."

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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