Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

"Young and Restless" is continuing its savvy soap-stealing ways. Eden Riegel, who played Bianca on "All My Children" for almost a decade, is slated to play Heather. This is bad news for Vail Bloom, who created the role two years ago. It is good for Doug Davidson, who plays Heather's dad, Paul. Davidson, who has been with the show for decades, was once always on the front burner. In the past few years, he has been on no burner or stop-and-start story lines as an adjunct to others. His recent work in the Patty/Emily story line shows what a fine actor he is. Not only a fine actor but a team player who always knows his lines, doesn't complain and takes whatever work he is given without moaning to the press.

As for Riegel, she is thrilled to join "Y&R." Liz Hendrickson (Chloe), her best pal in real life and onetime "AMC" love interest, will be mixing things up with her.

Riegel has been open about her disappointment with her latest "AMC" gig. She felt her character was not being well served. While she has not been specific about her lack of delight, we can sight a few "what are they thinking?" moments in the Bianca story line: Bianca being artificially inseminated by her sister's husband made no sense and was icky to boot. Then the hello/goodbye marriage to Reese was bizarre. Chuck Pratt Jr., who was head writing the show at the time, claimed he had to rush it because Riegel would not extend her contract. He knew going in the actress had only agreed to so many weeks. To base a story on thinking an actress would extend a contract when she never gave that indication when she first agreed to return is akin to my taking the offer from one of those guys in Nigeria who promise me $10 million if I give them 20 bucks and then buying a Porsche while waiting for the check.

Oscar-nominated actress Julianne Moore (Frannie, "As the World Turns") returns to the show for one day in April.

The actress will be in town to attend the anniversary of her parents, Bob and Kim Hughes. Moore gives an amazing performance in the film "A Single Man." Unlike a lot of movie stars, Moore does not suffer from soap opera amnesia when she is on a film press tour. In fact, she often brings up the subject. Moore will talk about her years on "ATWT," the things she learned from the process, and gives kudos to the actors she worked with on the show. How refreshing. She did not play hardball when asked to return. She welcomed the chance for one more cup of coffee in the Hughes kitchen.

It's official: "Dancing With the Stars" will have a soap opera actor on the show this season. Actually, an ex-soap actor. Aiden Turner (ex-Aidan, "AMC") has been chosen. Kim Zimmer (Reva, "Guiding Light" had hoped to land the gig. The always outspoken Zimmer is working on a book about her life and her years as the "slut of Springfield" — the line she uttered in her Emmy-winning "GL" scene.

An American soap star is appearing on the Italian version of "Dancing With the Stars" (the franchise has more than 20 international versions). "The Bold and the Beautiful" actor Ronn Moss was visibly shocked after the jury gave him some of the lowest scores yet, especially given his almost non-stop dance rehearsal schedule. Moss made it clear, live on the air, after having danced the merengue with partner Sara di Vaira, that he felt the "low" scores by the judges did not reflect how much progress he has made as a dancer. The jury accorded Moss and di Vaira 7-7-8-7-6, for a total of 35 points. The audience obviously agreed with Moss because after the viewer call-in and text votes were tabulated, it was determined that Moss and di Vaira will be going through to the next episode, which airs Saturday, March 6 live from Rome.

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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