Q: With "Passions" being cancelled, is there a chance that Andrea Evans (Rebecca) might return to "One Life to Live"? — Roberta in Jacksonville, Fla.

A: More than a chance. When Evans left the OLTL role of Tina Lord 18 years ago, she said she would be back. She was right. Evans, who was a non-contract player on "Passions" for its eight-year run, is headed back to Llanview. Evans will return in the spring as a non-contract player.

In a statement, Evans explained, "For many years, both fans of mine and One Life to Live have wanted me to return to the show. … I'm thrilled to be returning to the role of Tina, which I've always held near and dear to my heart. I'm looking forward to working once again with all my friends and 'family' at One Live to Live." As for the story line, ABC (which airs OLTL) is being coy. All a spokesperson would say is, "Her return will rock the city and reveal a secret that will change everyone's life."

Q: I saw the obituary for Stanley Kamel who played the psychiatrist on "Monk." One of the listed credits was a role on "Days of Our Lives." I have watched the show from Day One. I do not remember him. When was he on the show? — Carolyn in Gaithersburg, Md.

A: From 1972-75, the affable Kamel played Eric Peters.

At the time, his character was a major player. He was involved in a love triangle with his brother, Greg, (Peter Brown) and Susan Martin (Denise Alexander). Eric did not get the girl. According to the Associated Press, Kamel's death at 65 was attributed to a heart attack.

Q: With the Olympic torch passing through L.A., were there any soap actors going to pass the torch? — Robert in California

A: Not this time out. San Francisco was the only U.S. city to host the torch this year. And with all the controversy surrounding the games set for China, the soaps shied away from participating. That was not the case in 1984 when the Olympics were held in LA. Many soap actors wanted to be part of the ceremony. The actor who got to pass the torch was Bill Beyers, who played Wally on "Capitol." Beyers was thrilled that he got to pass the torch, but he was also a bit unhappy. He thought he would get to keep a symbolic torch.

At the time, he told us, "I kept waiting for it to show up on my doorstep. One day I got to the studio and it was in a case."

Beyers was always candid. Sadly, Beyers succumbed to AIDS in the early 1990s.

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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