Q and A Saturday, August 21, 2010 by Lynda Hirsch on Creators.com

Recently

LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- SUMMARY BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Steffy turns to Taylor for comfort when she tells her mother about Ridge trying to talk her into signing annulment papers so Hope and Liam can get married. Ridge secretly informs Brooke that he doesn't think that Hope and Liam …Read more. LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- GOSSIP In the mid 1980s, I received a press release from "As the World Turns." The show was trumpeting that the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and the niece of Dionne Warwick was going to appear on the show. Who was she? I thought. In …Read more. LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- Q AND A Q: How did the fundraiser that Bradley Bell, the producer of "Bold and Beautiful," held for President Obama go? — Arleta in Mill Valley, Calif. A: The event was held on Feb. 15 at the main Spanish style house of the Holmby Hills …Read more. LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- SUMMARY BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Fresh from liberating himself from Steffy, Liam and Hope promise to spend the rest of their lives together. Steffy has not lost hope of a future with Liam, thinking that he just needs time away to realize she is the one for him. …Read more.

Q and A Saturday, August 21, 2010

Q: I don't know how I will survive without "As the World Turns." I started watching the show with my mother when I was 3 years old. That means for 51 years, I stopped whatever I was doing to have some time with the Hughes family. Do you know how the show will wind down? — Silvia, West Palm Beach, Fla.

A: First of all, for those of you who don't believe in coincidences, "As the World Turns'" last airdate is Sept. 17. That falls on the same day as Yom Kippur this year. Bet you didn't think a soap column would give you some religious education.

First off, Jewish holidays never fall on the same day, as a different calendar is used. So, unlike Christmas, which is always Dec. 25, Jewish holidays fall on different dates each year. Despite everyone thinking Hanukkah is a major holiday, it's not. It's just a way for Jewish kids to not feel left out during Christmas.

One of the things about Hanukkah is that it lasts eight night, and on each, you get a present. Not as good as it sounds. Night one: a box of raisins. Night two: an orange. Ahh, but on night eight, it's the big gift: a box of crayons. No, not the 120 Crayolas with the sharpener. If you're really lucky, you'll get the 32 pack. But all I ever got was 16.

Now, back to Yom Kippur. That is the Day of Atonement. You don't eat on that day, and when I say you don't eat, I mean nothing. If you brush your teeth, you can't even swallow that water.

The big thing about Yom Kippur besides no food is that you pray for atonement. We think CBS should pray for atonement because it is a sin that the canceled "As the World Turns" is to be replaced by "The Talk," a show that sounds boring and "The View" light. So I predict the show will be viewless.

I also think that on Sept.

17, "ATWT" will get soaring ratings. Not a lot of Jews will be watching because they will be in temple all day, but there is that DVR!

Chris Goutman, the show's executive producer, wants the end to show that life goes on. So Henry and Barbara will marry. Henry, Barbara's boy toy, is a fun character. The odd thing about this pairing is that Barbara was married to Henry's father reprehensible, James Stenbeck. By the show's end, it will appear that Oakdale will finally be rid of James.

In other wedding news, look for Jack and Carly to say "I do." Katie and Chris don't marry, but it will be apparent that Katie is ready to stop grieving the death of Brad and move on with Chris.

With Chris seriously ill, John Dixon comes to town to save the day. He will also save Lucinda from a lonely life as the tempestuous couple consider reconciliation.

In a salute to the younger generation, Kim and Bob will decide it is time to enjoy the good life. It's interesting that the only children of Kim and Bob's that came back was Chris, a character that continues to be on and off the canvas quicker than the weather changes in Cleveland. Frannie also returned for one day since Julianne Moore agreed to reprise her role.

And Andy? This is a character that started out as a baby, grew to manhood and was central in story lines. It was especially odd that he is not back for the farewell since actor Scott DeFreitas is the real-life husband of Maura West (Carly).

It also appears that Noah and Luke's romance will be back on. For whatever reason, Lily and Holden do not get together ... but there is a hint that they might. Will be like the end of the movie "Inception"? Who knows?

I think this is strange since Lily and Holden are the Romeo and Juliet of "As the World Turns." With so many minor characters finding happiness, it is as if Shakespeare decided to forget Romeo and Juliet and had Mercutio marry the nurse.

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.