Heartbreaking news: Nelson Branco, 48, died this week. He really was the king of all media. He wrote and edited for the Toronto Sun. He had TV and radio shows. Nelson, called Nellie by friends, was a constant voice on Twitter. He took no guff. He said what he thought. Often snarky in tone, but often kind. Soap stars including Nancy Grahn (Alexis on "General Hospital") and Billy Flynn (Chad on "Days of our Lives") recalled the kindness he showed them. He was welcoming to me, which made me feel honored. His absence from Twitter caused concern. Friends in Toronto could not reach him. They got his building manager to open his apartment. They were horrified to see him lifeless. No cause of death has been determined.

Emma Samms (Holly) is returning to "General Hospital." At one point, the heroine was reported killed. In fact, she was abducted. In real life, Samms has had more than one bout of COVID. She said she was thrilled producer Frank Valentini waited for her health to improve. Yes, she will mix it up with Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) and others. Samms was always a delight. When "GH" was awash with cocaine, she abstained. No lectures; she just said no. Samms started the Starlight Foundation in England. It is akin to our Make-A-Wish. Her 8-year-old brother died from leukemia. She and her family were heartbroken. She decided it was important to do things for dying children, their family and friends. Yes, she is still beautiful.

"General Hospital's" Leslie Charleson (Monica) and Kin Shriner (Scott) are celebrating 45 years with the show. Charleson got her soap start on "Love is a Many Splendored Thing." For Shriner, except for a year on "Texas," which he regrets, it has always been "GH." He was the show's young hero, teamed with troubled Laura. Then along came Luke, and Scott was off the burner.

I first interviewed Shriner his first week on the show. Over the years, we have talked many times. He was always open. Even if the topic was sad, like the death of his parents Herb and Pixie. He, his twin Will and sister Indie went to live with their grandmother in Texas. The boys did not stay long. They wanted to be in show business. Will is a stand-up comic.

He says from the time he was 3 he wanted to act, and his parents enrolled him in acting classes. He moved to Florida for a while, then back to Los Angeles, where he wears colorful shirts and zips around in a Vespa.

The first time I met Kin, he was shy. He looked down at his shoes. Then I mentioned his hair, and we bonded. Scott's hair was a swept-to-the-side bowl cut. He hated it, so he created a haircut that looked as if it was cut with a weed wacker. The show's producer, tough as nails Gloria Monty, hated it. He did not care. In fact, he enjoyed upsetting her. Years later, I was sitting next to him at an Emmy party. He saw Monte coming toward his table. "Oh, no. She is going to make me kiss her," he said. Which she did.

Shriner has helped out many a pal. It had been reported he was making $3 million a year. "Not true. Three million people asked me for money." One person was so drugged up he had her go to rehab. It took four times, but she got clean and sober. And no, it was not Genie Francis, but a minor cast member.

He enjoys the comedy he gets to do. The drama, not so much. He loves mixing it up with Maurice Benard and Roger Howarth. Scenemates will tell you he has fun and does lots of schtick but knows when to play it straight for plot and storyline purposes. Castmates say a day working with him is fun and challenging.

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.