Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

Q: Please tell me about Kendall's history on "All My Children." — Ava, Rochester, N.Y.

A: Kendall is one of daytime's most interesting and provocative characters. When Kendall Hart first arrived in Pine Valley in 1995, she was played by Sara Michelle Gellar who won an Emmy for her efforts. She won an Emmy several years before the much-nominated Susan Lucci, who plays her mom, Erica, won the coveted award. At the time, there were rumors that the actresses did not get along. Neither has ever denied that, but they did stunning work in the two years they were teamed as mother and daughter.

When Kendall first came to town, everyone thought she was a fan/stalker obsessed with Erica. Erica, charmed by the young lady, hired her to be her personal assistant. Erica's mom, Mona, realized that Kendall was Erica's daughter. At 14, Erica had been raped by family friend Richard Fields. Erica gave up the baby for adoption. Traumatized by the experience, Erica did not remember her long-ago ordeal. Kendall came to town knowing Erica was her mother. To complicate matters, Kendall went after Erica's husband at the time, Dimitri. When Dimitri rejected her, Kendall cried rape. Erica, so horrified by the accusation, stabbed Dimitri.

During her trial for the attack, Erica was blindsided when Kendall had Richard brought into the courtroom.

Before Kendall left town in 1996, Erica and Kendall were not close but reached an understanding. In 2002, Kendall returned, wanting to wreck havoc in Erica's life. Kendall decided the best way was to make the life of Erica's other daughter, Bianca, a nightmare. For a while, she did just that. Then Bianca was raped by Ryan's father, Michael Cambias. Erica wanted Bianca to have an abortion. Bianca wanted to give birth to the child. During this time, Kendall and Bianca truly bonded.

Bonding with Erica was not as easy. Through the years, the two fought more than they loved. Eventually, Bianca convinced her mother that it was not Kendall's fault that she was conceived by rape. In a touching scene, Erica went to Mona's grave. There she recalled conversations she had with her mother about Kendall. Erica realized that her mother would want her to have a loving relationship with her daughter. Do they still fight and disagree? You bet. As Don Rickles says after he skewers someone, "It is done with love."

It appears that when "AMC" moves to L.A., Alicia Minshew, who portrays her, is not going. No word if that means the exit of Kendall or a recast.

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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