Soaps are doing a lot of casting this week.

"General Hospital" is looking for a handsome male, Caucasian, age 32-37. Last month the show's new head-writers said they would not be adding any new characters in the near future, so rumors are floating around that Jason Thompson (Patrick) is thinking of leaving his heroic role after nearly a decade, and some fans are guessing the show is looking for a re-cast. No one at "General Hospital" would confirm or deny the rumor.

With a major teenage story heading to "Days of Our Lives," the show is looking for several short-term teen actors. "Mark" is described as a gorgeous, 17- or 18-year-old popular jock whose father is a strict judge, which makes Mark rebellious. Hal is a gorgeous man between 38 and 45 years old who is the father of an 19-year-old girl. Clark is a 38- to 46-year-old who is described as a "hot bad boy." Simone is a beautiful hippie in her late 30s. The show is also seeking someone who is African-American, Hispanic or Asian for this recurring role. Judge Avery is a 50- to 55-year-old judge who finds his property vandalized by teenagers. Finally, Dr. Robinson is a 40- to 50-year-old psychiatrist, who will be either African-American or Asian.

"The Young and the Restless" producers have revealed that Jensen Buchanan landed a recurring role on the show. The "Another World" (as Vicky) alum will appear on "The Young and the Restless" as Elise Moxley. When Y&R fans heard of her debut, they took to social media to speculate on her story line and possible connection to Genoa City. She will be a big part of the aftermath of the Adam Newman reveal. It is speculated that she will be a member of the media who might uncover details about Adam's innocence. She may be the one who holds key information implicating Gabriel Bingham in Delia's death. Remember: It was a blonde woman who said she saw Adam hit Delia. To this day, Adam swears he did not realize he ran over anyone. Maybe that is because he did not. Soap Opera Digest revealed she was a member of the social scene; she is in the same circle of friends as Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), a Genoa City socialite.

Jensen said that one day out of the blue someone called her and inquired if she'd be interested in a role for "The Young and the Restless." She didn't even hesitate or ask for further details; she agreed immediately. She said she was totally shocked to hear from "The Young and the Restless" for a part on the show.

"I was really honored that ('The Young and the Restless') would come to me and say, 'Do you want to do this part?'" Buchanan tells Digest. "I wasn't exactly playing hard to get. I was just kind of retired and was sort of finished with that chapter in my life."

Buchanan began her career at "One Life to Live," where she played Sarah Gordon. She moved to "Another World" in 1991 to replace Anne Heche in the role of twins Vicky and Marley. She played Vicky for the show's final eight years, then reprised the character on "As the World Turns." In 2001, she signed on to play Melissa Bedford on "General Hospital" while still technically under contract with "As the World Turns." She was sued for breach of contract.

She had her "General Hospital" role for a year; the character left town after it was revealed she had killed several patients while a nurse at the hospital.

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