Schae Harrison (Darla, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’).

Hopefully you all took our advice last week and watched the July 17 episode of the Rachael Ray show, which featured All My Children actress Susan Lucci. If so, then you have a good chance at winning tickets to see Rachael Ray in person. These highly coveted tickets have a waiting list of about two years, but one correct answer can bump you to the head of the line and win you two VIP tickets to be in the audience of a taping of the show.

Just answer one question correctly about the show, and your name will be put into a drawing for the tickets. Here is the question: On the July 17 episode of the Rachael Ray show in which Susan Lucci made a guest appearance, what was Rachael’s suggestion for what Susan’s grandchildren should call her when they start learning to talk? Email your answer to daytimedial@yahoo.com, along with your name, telephone number and address.

All correct answers will be entered into a random drawing. All entries must be received by Sunday, July 29, 2007. The winner will be contacted via email and will be announced in a future column. Good luck!

In casting news, some fan favourites are back, if only for a little while. Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital) returns on July 13 to convince an ailing Eli Love to let Noah Drake (Rick Springfield) perform in his place at a charity concert. She is scheduled for a short-term summer stint, but rumors are flying that she is considering a full-time return to daytime as her character becomes involved with Noah.

Also returning to her old stomping grounds is Schae Harrison (Darla, The Bold and the Beautiful). As we all know, her character died in a heartbreaking hit-and-run car accident which involved her best friend Taylor. Word is that Darla will appear to Thorne while he is in an ‘altered state’. Her two-day appearance is scheduled for the endof July.

As you know, the Internet is always a-twitter with speculation that a popular actor or actress might return to his or her beloved role. And, of course, just a week after shooting down rumours that Tom Pelphrey might return to the role of Jonathan on Guiding Light, there is chatter that all those rumors just might pan out as truth. Insiders at the show have suggested that Pelphrey has been in talks with top brass at GL and that a return might be on the horizon later this year. While nothing is written in stone until the ink on the contract has dried, the renewed speculation has GL fans very happy and hopeful.

In a surprise move, Adrian Bellani (Miguel, Passions) has opted not to renew his contract with the show in order to pursue other professional options. He joins James Stevenson (Jared) and Silvana Arias (Paloma) as some of the core cast members who have chosen not to make the move to DirecTV. A spokesperson at Passions has suggested that the role of Miguel will likely be recast at some time down the road.

Break out the ‘It’s a Boy!’ cigars. Sydney Penny (Julia, AMC) and husband Rob Powers welcomed a baby boy, Chasen August Powers, to the family on May 31. Mother and son are doing beautifully, and Penny is expected back at work by the end of this month.

– Cindy Elavsky