July 1, 2008
After suggesting in last week's blog that PASSIONS' Ben Masters (Julian) be considered when YOUNG AND RESTLESS casts Gloria's ex and Michael's dad, Lowell, I got to thinking about where some of the show's other soon-to-be unemployed actors might best be utilized around daytime. Eric Martsolf (Ethan) would make the perfect recast as Sami's long-missing twin brother, Eric, on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Think about the fireworks if he reconnected with Nicole after all these years! Meanwhile, McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan) might make an interesting addition to GENERAL HOSPITAL Quartermaine clan. She's got the rich sophisticate thing down and would be an interesting match for Jax or Sonny. Or, better yet, maybe she could turn lapdog Patrick's head in a direction other than Robin's. And how about Galen Gering (Luis) stirring things up on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL? Ashley needs a man at the moment, and Brooke is always up for a new affair.

June 23, 2008
With all the talk about Michael's father Lowell on YOUNG AND RESTLESS of late, it looks like the show might be looking to cast Gloria's drunken, hippy ex in the not-too-distant future. Here's a thought about who the casting department should seriously consider: Ben Masters (ex-Julian Crane, PASSIONS). Masters work was 80 percent comedy on PASSIONS, which would serve him well as a member of the wacky Baldwin gang. Yet, he always shined during his rare dramatic moments on the NBC soap, too. Masters is a formidable actor who would hold his own in confrontations with Christian LeBlanc's Michael, and his chemistry with Judith Chapman (Gloria) would no doubt be amazing.

June 3, 2008
I tuned into GENERAL HOSPITAL the other day and was pained to see sweet, angelic, fill-in-your-own-adoring-adjective Nikolas spending time with mafia slut Claudia Zacchara. Surely, this cannot be the pairing of the future? Surely, the show isn’t following up Nikolas and Emily’s fairy tale love story with a tawdry tale about a prince and a vamp? There are so many other women in Port Charles more deserving of knight in shining armor Nik. Nadine seems the obvious choice. However, I’m rooting for the lovely Leyla. After getting the shaft from Patrick, she deserves a true prince.

May 20, 2008
YOUNG AND RESTLESS has always been a cutting edge show — timely storylines, crisp dialogue, impeccable wardrobe, and, above all, lively, up-to-date sets. Well, all except one: the Chancellor living room. It's old stale and bordering on decrepit. Wouldn't hip Jill have suggested some redecorating by now? Or what about Katherine's 20-something pal, Amber? Heck, even the forever young Katherine should be smart enough to know it's time to call in the pros to revamp the place. A couch circa 1990 or 1980 would be a vast improvement over the 1970's version Katherine and company having been sitting on for 30-plus years. And how about some new draperies or, better yet, plantation shutters? It's time the place got a major overhaul.

May 6, 2008
After a couple of years of sputtering about and losing its focus, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS appears headed for a resurgence now that Maria Arena Bell has taken over the reins, and one character benefitting from the change is Jill Abbott. Under the Lynn Marie Latham regime the once feisty Jill had been inexplicably watered down. Heck, the highlight of her day was having tea with Katherine. But these days she's back in the mix as the savvy, sexy spitfire she used to be going head-to-head with Nikki, trying to outsmart Gloria, and mixing it up with Jeffrey. It's been a long time overdue, and no one is more deserving than the always divine Jess Walton.

April 29, 2008
I really hate it when writers try to shove a soap couple down my throat and will more often than not absolutely rebel against it, just because I can. For that reason as much as I adore Brandon Barash as GENERAL HOSPITAL's Johnny Be Bad, I'm not a Johnny/Lulu fan. Why? I was/am a big Logan and Lulu supporter. (Yes, I love Josh Duhon, too.) Their pairing developed slowly and steadily, albeit predictably. Girl hates boy. Girl falls for boy. You know the drill. And Maxie in the middle provided plenty of drama and angst. Then, out of nowhere, the GH scribes decided to abruptly switch course. Suddenly, lovable Lulu was tossed into Johnny's mob world, and it was bye-bye Logan, hello mafia hunk. The makings were all there for a nice, spicy triangle, which I would have been open to. Problem is, GH didn't go that route. Instead, Lulu dropped Logan like a hot potato and started swooning over hotheaded Johnny, and viewers were just supposed to get on board. Sorry, not this viewer. Johnny's "Piano Man" sensitive side was a nice touch, but it doesn't make up for his gun wielding. Meanwhile, Lulu's abrupt about-face makes her look incredibly fickle and the latest in the show's long line of Smart Women, Foolish Choices.

April 24, 2008
Despite the thousands of stories I've written on actors over the years I have to admit receiving a phone call or note to say thank you happens rarely. Sure, you always hear about it when a performer doesn't like something the magazine has written. And there have been numerous times I've had to say, "I'm sorry," for an article I've honestly had no part in. If only saying "you're welcome" to a performer's "thank you" happened nearly as often.

Over the years, I've received notes from a handful of actors — Lynn Herring (ex-Lucy, General Hospital), Frances Reid (Alice, Days of our Lives), and Wally Kurth (ex-Ned, General Hospital) to name a few — and even flowers on two occasions from Patrika Darbo, Kevin Spirtas, and Lisa Linde (ex-Nancy, Craig and Ali, Days) and Lauralee Bell (Christine, Young and Restless). And Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) did rave for months (really!) about the story I broke about his nervous breakdown. Plus, there have been thank you calls from Eileen Davidson (Ashley, Bold and Beautiful), Natalia Livingston (Emily, GH) and the impeccably well-mannered Thaao Penghlis (Tony, Days).

Recently, I wrote an Applause on Peggy McCay (Caroline, Days) and instinctively knew she would call upon reading it. She did, quipping, "I'm glad I didn't disappoint you." And, a few short weeks later, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from Jay Kenneth Johnson (Philip, Days) regarding an interview and opinion piece on the misuse of his character.

In an age where people are so busy they squeeze in cell phone calls to their own family in between errands, it sincerely means a lot when someone takes time out of their day to say thanks. So to all of those who have over the years, it is most appreciated.

April 15, 2008
Interviewing Drake Hogestyn (John, Days of our Lives), be it in person or via the phone, is always easy and fun. There's no pulling teeth to get good quotes out of him. Hogestyn loves to chat, especially about the new John. He's putting his heart and soul into the revamped character, who he's hoping will stick around for a long, long time to come. And who can blame him? These days, John is must see TV. The old John, not so much. Sure, he was a fine hero, but the Dudley Do-Right act had grown tired and dull. With new John you're on the edge of your seat waiting to see what he'll do and say next. Speaking of dialogue, every time I talk to Hogestyn, these days, I reveal the latest line he delivered that had me laughing out loud. My favorite so far, hands down, was, "Were we mugged here?" Talk about bursting Marlena's bubble, after she told John the dock had special meaning to the two of them. Hogestyn appreciates the feedback, and it usually prompts him to share an upcoming line or funny set side story. Last time we chatted, he admitted the cast and crew were chuckling over his one-liners, too. Alison Sweeney (Sami), for one, recently burst out laughing during rehearsal, when EJ likened John to Tony Soprano, and John came back with the perfect retort. Stay tuned. Maybe you'll get as loud a laugh out of it as Sweeney did.