LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- Q&A by Lynda Hirsch on Creators.com

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LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- Q&A

Q: I have watched "All My Children" since day one. I love Joe Martin and was sorry to see that when the show heads to Los Angeles later this year, he will not be going with them. How will he be written out? What were some of Joe's highlight stories? — Pam, Orlando, Fla.

It will be a happy write-out for Joe. He and wife Ruth will decide to take an around-the-world cruise. This ploy was used on "Days of Our Lives" when Doug and Julie left the show. Ray MacDonnell, 81, has been with the show since it debuted 40 years ago. ABC says that the actor may make an occasional appearance after the show heads to Los Angeles but will not be a contract player.

When the show began, Joe's beloved wife, Helen, had just died. Joe and his children (Tara and Jeff) moved in with his mother, Kate. At the hospital, he fell in love with compassionate nurse Ruth Brent. At the time, Ruth was married to the physically and emotionally abusive Ted Brent. They had a son, Phillip. In truth, Phillip was the love child of Ruth's sister, Amy. Erica Kane learned the truth about Phillip's birthright. Erica revealed the truth, which devastated Phillip and his family. The alcoholic Ted died in a car crash.

After Joe and Ruth married, Joe's son, Jeff, found a young boy in the woods.

The boy, Tad, was adopted by Joe and Ruth. Ruth was eventually raped by Tad's evil birth father, Ray Gardner. Ruth became pregnant and it was feared that Ray was the father. In fact, Joey was Joe's biological son. Joey became a doctor and is now known as Jake. Jake has taken over as head of Pine Valley Hospital from his dad.

While Joe has always been a rock solid dad and husband, he does seem to have a thing for women with abusive husbands. He met a woman named Leora Sanders. Leora, beaten to a pulp by her husband, sought Joe's medical and emotional support. Ruth, heartbroken by Joe's relationship, asked for a separation. Eventually, the couple reunited. Joe has not strayed since. How would he have the time? Whenever someone needs help, they turn to Dr. Joe. Some even turn to him when they are angry. During a shouting match with Dimitri Marick, Joe suffered a heart attack. While Joe survived the massive heart attack, he did suffer irreversible heart damage. On more than one occasion, David Hayward, one of his least favorite people, has saved his life.

As for MacDonnell, the Fulbright Scholar and his wife, Patricia, have three children: Sarah, Daniel and Kyle. Prior to "AMC," he was on the soap "Edge of Night" as Phil Capice.

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.