Mark your soap opera calendars for September 11, the day "The Young and the Restless" will air its 11,000th episode. Lee Phillip Bell, who co-created the show with her husband, Bill Bell, is set to appear. Bell will share a scene with her real-life daughter, Lauralee Bell, who has played Christine since she was a teenager, and Doug Davidson (Paul), the longest-running actor on the show. TV Guide's Michael Logan says the scene is "super charming" but is not offering any further details so as to not spoil the scene.

The episode will also have other star power. Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura on the "Star Trek" TV run, will play Lucinda. While no specifics have been given on the character, she will be connected to a current "Y&R" character.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be a member of the cast of this historic moment in daytime television," Nichols told Mashable of her new role. She continued: "I've been a huge fan of The Young and the Restless for decades. I'm equally honored to be from Chicago like the Bell Family who created this incredible TV show." Nichols and William Shatner (who played Captain Kirk in "Star Trek") made TV history when they shared what is often credited as TV's first interracial kiss. For years, "Y&R" has featured the popular interracial husband and wife Lilly and Cane.

Chris L. McKenna (ex-Mark Harding) shared via Twitter that he is joining the supernatural TV series "Grimm," saying, "Very excited to be joining the cast of @NBCGrimm. More details as I get em!" McKenna later retweeted a story reporting that he will play Lieutenant Grossante, a cop with the Portland Police Department.

Now for news on "General Hospital." On Monday Jax (played by Ingo Rademacher) arrives in Port Charles. His arrival is involved with Carly's search for Josh's kidney donor. Rademacher was last seen on the show three years ago. The actor has already taped his final scene for this visit. He revealed on Instagram that he is headed back to Hawaii, where he lives full-time, to resume work on "Hawaii Five-0," where he recurs as Robert. He told "Soap Opera Digest" he would welcome a return invitation to "GH," saying, "Hawaii is just a flight away, and there are flights leaving for Los Angeles all day long! I'd love to be asked back."

Monday is Marie Wilson's (Summer) last airdate on "Days of our Lives." That does not mean the missing Tate will be found that day. Insiders say the storyline of her kidnapping will continue to run for a long time.

Freddie Smith (Sonny) will also be sticking around "Days." He didn't just do a drive by-visit to the show — his performance won him an Emmy. Smith is said to be jazzed about his return, for his character will cross paths with a myriad of Salemites.

Those of you hoping that NBC's "This is Us" would be a flop so Justin Hartley (Adam on "The Young and the Restless") would keep his daytime gig are not getting your wish.

ET Online not only awarded the series with the honor of "Best Ensemble Cast of the Season" but also hailed "This Is Us" as a can't-miss TV gem. "If we could hug a show and never let it go, we'd choose NBC's soul-warming dramedy, 'This Is Us,'" Leanne Aguillera wrote. ET named the show one of the top six to watch this fall. Aguillera gushed further, saying: "From the writer and directors of 'Crazy, Stupid, Love,' this refreshingly raw and genuine new series will ease the ache in our hearts that 'Parenthood' has left behind. With four out of the five characters sharing the same birthday, you'll discover that their lives intertwine in curious ways — and you'll fall head over heels in love once you discover the series' big twist. Bottom line: This is the show that everyone will be talking about, so don't miss out on fall's most emotionally satisfying series."

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.