The great casting news keeps on coming. Greg Rickert is back on set. Hopefully it is not a drive-by visit. When he was axed after 14 years on the show, fans were furious and vocal.

"Days or our Lives" is bringing two very popular actors into the fold. One spent several years on the show. Louise Sorel is back on set, The show had hoped to keep it secret. Robin Strasser took to twitter to announce the news. When she realized that it was to be a secret, she went back on social media to apologize and then give here a second congrats.

Billy Flynn could not resist snapping a photo of brand new cast mate Tyler Christopher. The show is not saying who he will be playing, but there is some indication he will be playing a nephew raised by Vivienne who is named Nicholas. GH fans were hoping Christopher would return to the show; earlier this year it seemed to be a done deal. Talks broke down and Christopher, who won best daytime actor earlier this year, was asked to join Days. GH former head writer Ron Carlavati took to twitter and teased that Christopher would be playing an international man of mystery.

Christopher took to facebook to tell fans what they and acting mean to him.

"It has been a true blessing to be able to do what I love for the past 22 years. It feels like just yesterday that I pulled over to a pay phone on Sunset Blvd to answer a page (yes a page) from my agent telling me I had gotten the roll of Nikolas Cassadine on General Hospital," "I dropped to me knees, still barely clutching the phone in what can only be described as child-like disbelief at getting a Christmas present I thought Santa had forgotten about but didn't deserve. I often wonder what my life would of been like if [Emmy-winning GH casting director] Mark Teschner hadn't seen beyond the fragile inexperience clearly on display during our first meeting in late 1995. Fortunately for me...he did. Thank you Nikolas Cassadine for championing my career. In so many ways — I think I needed you more than you needed me. And thank you DOOL for reminding me what a privilege it is to be an actor."

Steve Burton is taping at GH. No word on who he will be playing. Cast and crew were told not to reveal who he was playing or face being canned. As I speculated a few weeks back, it would great if he came back as Jason Q before the crash that caused severe brain damage.

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ/ Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit/ Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line/ Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it. The verse by Omar Kayam applies to the two Young and Restless writers who announced they are retiring from soap writing. Sally Sussman and Kay Alden joined the CBS soap 10 months ago. Ratings are sliding. The show's executive producer will also be the head writer. Can one person do both jobs? It remains to be seen, but certainly Brad Bell has been very successful doing both at Bold and Beautiful. Of course he learned from the master, his dad, Bill Bell.

As for Sussman and Alden, it is hard to write for daytime TV. I know I tried several decades ago. After a trial week I felt like a gerbil spinning on a wheel. So I take no pleasure in saying what I think do not go right for the team. They brought in four major characters and wrote out three popular characters. The two well-respected scribes made it look as if they were turning a kaleidoscope. One twist and everything changed. There is nothing wrong with a slow pace. The great thing about soaps is you get to explore feelings and emotions. But Y&R was going at a snail's pace. There was no one storyline to root for. When you do not care what is happening to any character the show will not be a success. Sussman plans to do documentaries. Alden is going to take a breather.

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