Q: How is the new "Guiding Light" production format doing? — Salina, Rockford, Ill.

A: Depends on whom you ask. The actors are finding all the location shoots add hours on to their workday. Blocking has gone from walking across the room and sitting on the couch to chopping down the tree, gathering the kindling and starting a fire — all done outdoors. One actress, who asked not to be named, says, "Between showing the deepest crow's-feet on everyone's faces and the rest of (the) faces being cut off in each scene, this idea is not doing very well." Since that actress spoke some adjustments have been made with lighting and framing of shots. CBS, which airs the show, just renewed it, but the network has some reservations about the new format. According to Barbara Bloom, vice president of CBS Daytime, in a current interview with Soaps In Depth magazine, "The show will never go back to its original format. It will, however, continue to evolve to get the kinks out. We have gotten out of some of those tight places. The writers are coming up with some strong story while the kinks are being knocked out of the production model." Susan Flannery (Stephanie, "Bold and Beautiful") is set to direct an episode of GL this month. Frank Dicopoulos (Frank) and Justin Deas (Buzz) have signed new three-year contracts. Maybe Frank will finally get a story line. For years he has just been this unlucky-in-love guy who will do anything for his ungrateful daughter. The character and actor deserve their own story.

Q: How many children does "Days of Our Lives'" Caroline Brady have? — Regina, Sarasota, Fla.

A: Almost as many as the old lady who lived in the shoe. Only Caroline lives above the Brady pub. Caroline and the rest of Brady bunch came to Salem in 1985. Peggy McCay originated the role in 1983, and has always played her since 1985. Jody Carter and Barbara Beckley also portrayed Caroline for brief stints. As for Caroline's children, there is Roman, her son, by the now-dead Shawn. There is eldest daughter Kimberly and just returned to town Kayla. An affair with Victor led to the birth of Bo. Caroline also has two adopted sons: Frankie and his brother, Max. For years she thought John Black was her returned from the dead son Roman so she often gives him unwanted motherly advice.

McCay has a stellar primetime career as well. One of her shows was the series "Room for One More." The show was about a family with a dozen children. McCay, who does not have children in real life, says, "I have always loved children. I admit I find them really appealing when I can leave them at the studio."

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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