Jerry O'Connell has been named a permanent co-host on "The Talk." He will take over after Sharon Osbourne left due to a kerfuffle with the other co-hosts. O'Connell got his big break in the Rob Reiner film "Stand By Me." He does not like talking about that movie as he was chunky at the time. The slimmed down actor is married to John Stamos' ex-wife Rebecca Romijn. They have two children. He got some advice for his new job from his wife — do not be so fidgety. He said he is working on it. "Big Bang Theory" lovers (who isn't?) may recall him as a grown-up version of Sheldon's brother Georgie.

"The Young and the Restless'" Michael Mealor (Kyle) and Hunter King (Summer) contract negotiations have failed. The two will exit the show in the next few weeks. Irritated fans have taken to social media to announce that they will no longer watch if the characters are gone. Pretty much an empty threat. You tell the man in your life if he leaves up the toilet seat again, it is over. You both know you are just flapping your gums. This time, viewers may flee because the storylines are boring. I am not invested in any plot. I am team Sally. They are doing nothing with her character. An off the record source said the morale is awful. If two wildly popular characters can be axed, when will they be sliced? Mealor joined the show over three years ago and King over a decade. So far, King has remained silent. Mealor took to social media. He had been silent, but a fellow cast member broke the news. Mealor felt that if it is out there, why deny it? He said the three and a half years have been amazing, thanks to the YR cast, crew and fans. There are rumblings that another focal character may be cut. Eric Braeden — who is very vocal on twitter — thinks Mealor and King have gone radio silent for now. By the way, the actor who broke the news — not Braeden — deleted his post. This is show business — if there is no show, there is no business. Actors want to keep their daytime job.

It has been a rough year on and off the screen for Kirsten Storms, who has played maddening, marvelous Maxie on "General Hospital" since 2005. On the show, the character put her trust in the not to be trusted Peter. Her dream job with Nina imploded and her best friend Lulu — played by Emme Rylan — had an accident that left her in a coma. In real life, it was her real bestie Rylan who came to her rescue and took her to the hospital and to doctors' appointments. For several months, Storms has been experiencing a slew of health problems — from severe headaches to balance issues. Storms — who battled various health issues over the years — just thought they were other symptoms from her ongoing health problems. Wrong. Her doctor did a brain scan and found a giant benign cyst that had split at her brain's base. Taken to surgery, Storms was elated that they found what had been causing most of her issues and that there was a cure. The actress admitted she was bummed about having part of her head shaved. She asked social media to give her a break about her hair. She also wants everyone to know she is on the road to recovery. She said the moral support from her cast and crew has really helped. As for her return — yes, she is returning. She does not know when. To deal with her absence, her character exits town for fear of losing the baby she just gave birth to.

She's back. "Days of Our Lives'" Suzanne Rogers (Maggie), who has been off the air for several months, makes her return to Salem next week. Rogers - a onetime Radio City Rockette — joined the show for a brief stint in 1973. For over 30 years, her character has been the voice of reason, anger and, "nope, I am not good with that." During her years, she was often forced to play a dinner hostess. When the character married Victor, that changed. She has given council to Xander, Brady and Marlena, but the feisty, vibrant redhead always returns. Last year, after thinking she caused a drunk driving death, Maggie prepared to kill herself in prison. It was Xander who came to the rescue. Maggie was framed. Welcome back, Suzanne, and this time, unpack and move back to the mansion. Salem needs you.

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: 1137303 at Pixabay