B. Actually, ghosts are nothing new to daytime. In 1975, "All My Children's" Mary was shot to death in a home invasion. Her husband, Jeff, went into deep morning. In his grief, he had a visit from Mary. Pine Valley had a swell heaven. Mary got a new change of clothes every day. In fact, Mary was more stylish dead than alive.

The campy soap "Dark Shadows," had lots of visits from the hereafter. The show ran from 1966-71. It was brimming with ghosts, goblins and warlocks.

When "General Hospital's" spinoff of "Port Charles," had a ratings slump, it decided to go Gothic. One storyline focused on one story about a woman getting pregnant by her once-upon-a-time angel boyfriend.

"Passions" went supernatural from the get go. Tabitha, a witch, had ghostly visitors all day everyday. Sheridan and Luis were reincarnated lovers, with the same actors portraying them through time. Tabitha's witchcraft gave life to Timmy, the doll that came alive.

On "Another World," the mysterious Jordan Stark arrived in town hunting for the reincarnated soul of the wife who he decided came back as Amanda. By the time the series ended, Amanda was alive and in the arms of her true love, while Jordan Stark's spirit disappeared, leaving an amnesiac but nice David Halliday.

"Guiding Light" killed off Reva. Her true love, Josh, had hereafter visits from her. When Reva tuned up alive, Josh never asked "what about your ghost?" Josh may not have, but viewers did.

Over at "Young and Restless," the ghost of John visits his son Jack on a regular basis. John is not so much a ghost as he is the voice of reason for Jack. When Jack is tempted to do some evil, John tries to keep him on the side of the good guys.

Sharon's daughter Cassie, who died in an automobile accident, has had many a conversation with her mother. In the beginning, Cassie seemed to be there to side with Sharon when she did some desperate things. Now Cassie is around to tell her mom she must tell the truthz — that Nick, not Jack, is Summer's biological dad.

A few years back, "General Hospital's" Emily paid a ghostly visit for a few episodes. She is set to return next month, and although she will still be dead, she will not be a ghost but a dream.

On "One Life to Live," Marcie's true love, Al, died. In heaven, Al worked to come back to Earth by having Marcie return his angelic love. In the end, Al decided to let her fall in love with Michael. That came to be when she looked in the ghostly Al's eyes and saw Michael.

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