Disney Junior, a channel aimed at preschoolers, will replace SOAPnet, the 24-hour soap channel, sometime in 2012. Brian Frons, president of Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, assured Soap Opera Digest that this decision will not impact his daytime TV lineup.

Lauralee Bell (Chris) returns to "Young and Restless" in July. No word on how long the actress, who joined the show as a teen, will be staying.

On June 27, Cher, Barry Manilow, Jay Leno and Simon Cowell are among the stars that will help salute "American Bandstand" superstar Dick Clark at the 37th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas. Clark has produced the show on many occasions.

"Since this is the first time the Daytime Emmys will be based outside New York or L.A., we're putting together a special that will tap into the energy and excitement of Las Vegas," announced David McKenzie, the telecast's executive producer.

Other Daytime Emmy guests scheduled to appear include The Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, Wayne Newton and other notable Vegas acts.

Emmy winner Larry Bryggman will reprise his popular role, Dr. John Dixon, for one "As the World Turns" episode before the show signs off for good this September.

"ATWT" has released Helen Wagner's final airdate: June 1. Wagner will share scenes opposite Billy Magnussen and Marnie Schulenburg. The veteran actress died at age 91 on May 1.

Adrienne Frantz's first "Bold and Beautiful" airdate is July 1. "Some people will be glad to see me and some won't," she tells Soap Opera Digest. Brad Bell teases that Amber will immediately resort to her desperate and vampish ways for which we all know and love her.

Drew Cheetwood (Milo, "General Hospital") is engaged to girlfriend, Jenna Vitale.

Kimberly McCullough will be off the "GH" canvas for three weeks in mid June. Robin heads to Africa on a medical mission.

Oscar-nominated actor Bruce Davison is joining the cast of "GH" as a part of the James Franco story line. "GH's" Emmy-winning casting director Mark Teschner, sheds light on his latest casting genius: "Bruce is one of my favorite actors — I met him in a restaurant a few years back and told him so," Teschner told various media outlets. "I wanted a very special, unique actor to be in scenes with Franco, and he was the first idea to pop into my head." Look for Davison to air sometime in July. Franco hits Port Chuck on June 30.

Crystal Hunt showed up at the "American Idol" finale with her new boyfriend, Taylor Hicks! Hunt was most recently engaged to Dr. Philippe Spiess.

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.