Ehlers leaves Springfield for the Valley

Beth Ehlers, best known for her role as Guiding Light's Harley Davidson Cooper (1987-93, 1997, 1997-2008), has joined the show in an undetermined role. She departed GL after contract negotiations fell through last month. Ehlers was first confirmed by Soap Opera Weekly as taking over the role of Liza Colby, but it looks like plans have changed.

Rumors continue to indicate Ehlers will take on the role of Hayley Santos, a role originated by Kelly Ripa in 1990. Though some critics believe Ripa would never return as Hayley, Ripa has stated otherwise on Live with Regis and Kelly.

It saddens me when Ripa has voiced her willingness to come back to the role she played for 12 years, and the producers have yet to call her. If the character is really necessary as a long term gig, and really Hayley is not at this point, I am sure they could work something out with Ripa to accommodate her schedule.

Hayley coming on would also most likely mean the end to another Santos supercouple as I do not see Mark Consuelos running back to reprise the role of Mateo Santos. Haven't the powers that be ruined enough of the Santos family supercouples by killing off Noah Keefer and Edmund Grey?

On the other hand, Marcy Walker-Smith has made it clear she has no plans on going back to acting , just read the personal handwritten note I received from her secretary at her new job with an autographed postcard. Liza has so much history that can be played up, and leaves potential for Ehlers to be paired with her one time co-star and love interest Ricky Paull Goldin (now AMC's Dr. Jake Martin, ex-GL's Gus Aitoro).

Much of Liza's former liaisons have made their way back to Pine Valley. There is so much interesting stories to be told here best o how Liza skipped town in 2004. Why ruin the happily ever after with Mateo and Hayley, when you can surely have magic with Ehlers as Liza with Goldin's Jake?

Either way, Ehlers is a welcomed addition to All My Children. She is a proven and talented actress that will prosper is any role she takes on... as long as it is not my Tinkerbell.

The Couple that Works Together...

Pine Valley supercouple Hayley and Mateo Santos are going strong after three walks down the aisle, two onscreen and one offscreen that is.

Real life husband and wife team Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are set to launch a new production company, Milojo Productions, with a set of non-scripted series for TLC according to TVGuide.com.

Ripa will continue to co-host her talk show, Live With Regis and Kelly. Ripa pulled double duty on All My Children and Live until 2002. Consuelos and Ripa exited the show together for other opportunities.

In a 2008 Live episode with guest star Susan Lucci (Erica Kane, as if I needed to tell you), Ripa commented that no one has ever asked her to reprise the role of Hayley on All My Children.

Let's hope the producers are listening and remedy that soon.