Patch Johnson

There's good news and bad news from the soap world, and considering lately that the bad news has been horrific -- As the World Turns getting cancelled -- this might be a bit over-dramatic. However, William Russ was fired and Stephen Nichols hired at The Young & the Restless. Bad news for Russ, a very good actor who was doing just fine as Tucker McCall, new billionaire in Genoa City. Good news for fans of Nichols, who was bounced from Days of Our Lives last February.

According to the powers that be at Y&R, the McCall character is going in a different direction. That prompted Russ's dismissal. According to Stephen, Russ handled the firing with grace and class. He left a note in the dressing room for Nichols and wished him well in the role.