And Baby Makes 3!

"Passions" actress Liza Huber and husband Alex Hesterberg are delighted to announce the birth of their first child. Royce Alexander Hesterberg was born at 6 a.m. on December 23rd in Los Angeles. He was 7 lbs. 10 ounces and 19.5 inches long.

Of additional interest, the baby was born on the birthday of his maternal grandmother, "All My Children" icon Susan Lucci.

CONGRATS!

Soap Star Attacked by Obsessed Fan

According to the Web site TMZ, Days of Our Lives actor Drake Hogestyn was attacked at his home on New Year's Eve by an obsessed fan.

A restraining order was filed by Hogestyn against a man he says assaulted him in his home on New Year's Eve, and "physically tried to exorcise the devil from me."

[Go here to read the whole story.]

Hogestyn says Cheney was "calling me by my stage name ... recalling past storylines, especially the demonic possession of several years past. But more important, he thought I was dead, because the show that aired on Friday 12/29/06 left my character John Black shot and presumed dead."

Drake was every bit the soap-opera stud: He rushed over to the attacker, who was confronting Drake's wife on the porch, spun him around and decked him on the chin. He then subdued the man and duct-taped his arms and legs together until the police could arrive.

Thank goodness no one was hurt in this senseless act. Obviously the man who attacked Drake, Carl Raymond Cheney, has mental-health issues, so hopefully he will get the help he needs. And kudos to Drake's heroic bravery!

POLL: Alan Quartermaine to Be Killed Off

Poll Script from CWT

SPOILERS! Week of January 1, 2007

It's a new year, and we've got some new goodies to share with you. Enjoy!

AMC: Bianca is bitter about being "duped" by Zarf.
ATWT: Casey tries to explain away his gambling addiction.
B&B: Pandemonium erupts at the Forrester Fashion Show.
Days: Bonnie's son, Connor, is coming to town.
GH: Is Jax risking his life in trying to save Jerry?
GL: Springfieldians pay it forward, and try to "find their light."
OLTL: Blair's health takes a turn for the worse. Will she make it through?
Passions: As the wedding begins, Fancy faces another attack!
Y&R: The stress gets to Ashley, and she is pushed to the edge. Will she confess all to Victor?

Kudos!

“Passions” usually isn’t singled out for stellar acting, and I don’t think it’s the fault of the actors themselves. Yes, some of them are a little green, but because the writing can be so silly, it doesn’t really give them an opportunity to show some serious dramatic skills like most other soaps. And remember, soap actors tape a new episode everyday (sometimes doubling up and doing two shows in one day), and don’t have a week to rehearse like primetime-TV actors, so it’s remarkable that many of them are as good as they are.

However, I’d like to single out a great performance this week by “Passions” actress Emily Harper, who plays Fancy Crane. I was a little shocked and disgusted when yet another female character on the soap was raped, but so far the scenes of Fancy realizing and reacting to what happened to her have been so heartbreakingly good. Harper is doing a great job with this. She already proved she had a flair for romantic comedy in her scenes with Galen Gering (also doing a great job as Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald), but her most recent scenes where she cried her eyes out to Luis are worthy a daytime Emmy nomination.

Lately, “Passions” has been must-see TV. Yes, a lot of it is unbelievable (like JT’s body being stuffed into a humongous wedding cake meant to feed only 20 people), but if you’re looking for a more lighthearted soap (minus the rapes), this is a great way to spend an hour of your day.

So a round of applause to “Passions,” and especially Emily Harper. Hopefully, Fancy won’t be tormented for much longer, but if she has to be, at least Harper is getting a chance to show us how good she really is.

-- Dana

SPOILERS! Week of Dec. 25th

AMC: Bianca is floored when she answers the door.
ATWT: Iris and Jade threaten to expose Gwen’s secret.
B&B: Stephanie discovers Jackie’s shameful past; will she use it to her advantage?
Days: Patrick kidnaps Hope right before she goes into labor.
GH: Maxie uses her “miscarriage” to gain sympathy from Lucky.
GL: Lizzie’s dreams of a perfect beachside honeymoon get swept out to sea.
OLTL: Marty stops John from making a huge mistake.
Passions: Whitney’s doubts about Chad re-emerge shortly after their wedding.
Y&R: Dru makes a confession after more DNA evidence is found on Devon.
-- Dana

"General Hospital" Favorite Returns

Bad boy Scott Baldwin (played by Kin Shriner) returns to "GH" just in time for February sweeps. The reason for his return has been kept on the DL, but we can't wait to see what he has in store for Port Charles' residents.

Many fans speculated that he would return in time for Luke and Laura's remarriage (much like his debut at their wedding 25 years ago when he emerged from the shadows to catch Laura's bouquet). But their wedding has come and gone, and still, no Scotty.

“I look forward to returning to the General Hospital family," Shriner said. "The fans are going to be very excited to see my character return to town with a well-crafted and edge of your seat storyline. Some very important questions about Luke, Laura and Scotty will be answered."

To add a bit of a twist, here is what ABC has said about Shriner's return: "[Shriner's] return will coincide with an explosive story line for the upcoming February sweep where a new storytelling technique will be used, a first in daytime."

Hmmmm ... what could it be? Anyone have any guesses?

SPOILERS! Week of Dec. 18th

AMC: Kendall arranges a secret DNA test to see if Ryan is Emma’s father.
ATWT: Katie is surprised to see whom Mike is with at the Snyder farm.
B&B: Stephanie finds a surprise on her doorstep for Christmas.
Days: Stefano reveals EJ’s true identity.
GH: Nikolas faces his worst nightmare at the Christmas pageant.
GL: Coop resorts to manipulative tactics in his attempt to start a new life with Ava.
OLTL: Blair and the life of her unborn child are in great danger.
Passions: Fancy’s investigation of a peeping tom has heartbreaking consequences.
Y&R: Brad and Sharon share a special moment during the winter storm.

As the Revolving Casting Door Turns

Each week we get news of someone in the soap world not renewing their contract, or the show not renewing it for them, and then in return we see some new faces gracing our screens. It's always upsetting to hear that one of your favorite stars is leaving daytime, but also realize there is a good chance he or she could return after trying their luck in Hollywood. I love seeing soap stars succeed in primetime and movies, but I love it even more when one of my favorite stars comes back.

One such star is Jay Kenneth Johnson, who is returning to Salem ("Days of Our Lives") as Philip Kiriakis starting Jan. 12th. Johnson had a role on the now-defunct primetime series "North Shore" and a recurring role as the cutest gynecologist ever on the NBC sitcom "Scrubs." I'm not sure how long his stay will be in Salem -- if it's a typical 3-year contract or just a quick stint to wrap up Philip's storyline – but, either way, savor him while he lasts because he's young, talented and pretty enough to want to give primetime stardom a shot again someday.

Also coming back is Elizabeth Hendrickson as Maggie on "All My Children." Now I do know this is just a short-term gig, but fans are thrilled anyway. Now that Eden Reigel is back full-time as Maggie's partner, Bianca, everyone keeps asking, "Where is Maggie?!" The only thing we know so far is that Maggie cheated on Bianca, and that's why Bianca headed home to Pine Valley, but now Maggie has some competition with the peculiar Zarf trying to win Bianca's heart. If you're not tuning in already, make sure you do on Jan. 15th when Hendrickson makes her first appearance.

Unfortunately, we must say goodbye to two more "Days" stars who are being let go: Rhasaan Orange (Tek) and Judi Evans (Bonnie). Hopefully we WILL be seeing these two some more, either on another soap (to me Evans will always be Beth Raines on "GL" -- come back and bring Grant Aleksander, as Phillip, with you) or on a primetime show worth their talents.

Lastly, some good news. Hillary B. Smith has signed a new contract to continue as Nora on "One Life to Live." Yippee! I was worried because her character gave up the job of prosecuting Spencer to her colleague Evangeline, and her time onscreen seemed to be dwindling more and more lately, but the soap has shown renewed faith in her appeal (fans have long since known this), and she's supposed to have a juicy storyline coming up with Nora's rival, Lindsay (Catherine Hickland).

So we lose a few, we win a few. I wish all the stars good luck in their new endeavors, but if I see your mug back on my TV during the hours of noon and 4 p.m. someday, I won't be complaining.

SPOILERS! Week of Dec 11th

AMC: After another woman is found murdered, Josh is determined to protect Babe.
ATWT: Lucy makes good on her promise to Jennifer.
B&B: Nick’s therapy sessions with Taylor uproot some buried memories.
Days: This is the week Steve and Kayla fans have been waiting for!
GH: Carly remains torn between Sonny and Jax – will she call off the wedding?
GL: Jonathan and Tammy act on their passion while Lizzie grows increasingly frustrated.
OLTL: Blair takes a DNA test, praying her baby is Todd’s, not Spencer’s.
Passions: Fancy finds herself in a dangerous situation without any backup.
Y&R: A winter storm puts several lives in danger. Will Phyllis and her baby survive?