Several months ago, "Days of Our Lives" announced that Tyler Christopher (Stefan) would be taking a short leave of absence. In his stead, Brandon Barash (Johnny on "General Hospital") would be stepping in. The two worked together on "General Hospital" when Christopher played Nikolas Cassadine on the show. Barash, who is divorced from his "General Hospital" co-star Kirsten Storms (Maxie), is now a permanent replacement. There has been much speculation concerning Christopher's exit. We deal in facts, not speculation. When we find out the reason, we will pass it on.

Christopher, an amazing actor, won a best daytime Emmy for his work on "General Hospital." It would be quite the coup if he went back to the show. Instead of all these new characters that keep crowding out the tried-and-true legacy characters, it would be great to have Nikolas back. He is tethered to many characters. He can play a prince of darkness or a prince of light. Valentin would be exonerated for killing Nikolas. Laura would at least have one of her sons in town.

Speaking of being in town, Damian Spinelli (played by Bradford Anderson) is headed back to Port Charles — this time for a long stretch. When he's been back before, it's been for, like, a nanosecond.

Speaking of "General Hospital," they need to stop with all these new characters. Not only do they crowd out the folks we know and love, they also put major stories on the back burner. Jason has been back a year, and all he and Sam do is start to kiss, only to have the move to the bed stopped by Sam's mother, sister or a dead body. Enough. With a year back in town with no sex — and the five years he spent as a prisoner in Russia — this guy needs to carry around a portable cold shower. Hopefully, the powers that be are waiting for a major crisis to bring the duo together. Kristina keeps nagging Sam to give it up. She is vexed because there is no crisis keeping them apart. How about a life-or-death crisis making Sam fear she will lose Jason again?

What makes it even more frustrating is all the other hookups, e.g., Finn and Anna. Heck, even the almost newly widowed Maxie and Peter are making bedroom eyes. Heck, Peter was partly involved in the murder of Maxie's beloved husband, Nathan.

I really love the show. If they have Sonny sleep with Margaux, they have truly jumped the shark. Carly can be frustrating, but she has been wonderful with Sonny dealing with his dad's Alzheimer's and helping him cope with the death of their son, Morgan. Forget his being a crime lord; Sonny's unforgivable act is not being able to keep it in his pants.

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

Photo credit: at Pixabay