Q: Prior to playing Luke on "General Hospital," did Tony Geary appear on any other daytime dramas? — Cal in Encino, Calif.

A: From 1971-1972, Geary played David Lockhart on "Bright Promise." David Lewis (the original Edward on GH) and Susan Brown (Scott's mother on GH) also appeared on the half-hour soap. In 1973, Geary played George Curtis on "Young and the Restless." When Geary joined GH, he was slated for three weeks. Luke was to create issues for the super soap couple Scotty and Laura. Within a year, Luke and Laura were the super couple. Scott went from young hero to malicious reject.

Q: I know this is an odd question. Can you tell what Michael E. Knight's (Tad) first scene was on "All My Children"? — Janiqa in Oklahoma City, Okla.

A: It is a scene neither Knight nor we will ever forget. At the time, Tad was a bad boy and found himself in prison. In the 1982 scene, a jailed Tad yelled, "Butch, stay away from me! Someone help me!" On that day, Knight needed acting help.

Knight has been very candid with us about his AMC debut. "I was awful. I can't believe they kept me," he said. Kept him they did. So far, Knight has won three daytime Emmys for his work on AMC. The folks at AMC have decided to stop having Tad serve as a sidekick to Angie and Jesse and give him a real story line this month. Megan McTavish, the former AMC writer, misused (or did not use) Knight and Tad.

Q: I love Kin Shriner (Scotty, "General Hospital"), but, oh, that hair. How does his wife stand it? — Rebecca in Sarasota, Fla.

A: She doesn't have to. The 54-year-old Shriner has never married. He has had a beautiful slew of ladies in his life. He and Genie Francis (Laura) were having a hot, real-life teenage romance while their characters were involved. Shriner also dated Crystal Bernard. At present, Shriner has a girlfriend whom he met in Florida. When not in L.A., Shriner spends his time on his houseboat and at his apartment in Fort Lauderdale. As for the hair, which often looks as if it was trimmed with a lawn mower, Shriner started to chop off his hair to show the then-producers he could be a bit of a rebel. After a few producers' negative reaction, the hair actually became a plus. In story lines, the new Scott do is often mentioned by other characters.

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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