Multiple Emmy-nominee Thorsten Kaye won the hearts of soap opera audiences with his strong portrayal of “All My Children’s” Zach Slater, “One Life to Live’s” Patrick Thornhart and “Port Charles’” Ian Thornhart, but can the actor strike gold again as Ronn Moss’ replacement in the role of “The Bold and the Beautiful’s” Ridge Forrester? It won’t be the first time an actor has walked into the shoes of a major character whose previous portrayer is very much loved in the role, but then again, these aren’t just any old shoes to fill! Soap Opera Network caught up with Ridge’s onscreen dad, John McCook (Eric Forrester), who’s not only been working with Kaye as Ridge since day one, but who’s also quite familiar with the father/son dynamic the two characters have established over the years. Read on to get his take on the bold recasting choice, how he views Kaye’s approach to the role and what’s in store for Eric and Ridge in the weeks ahead!

ABC’s “General Hospital” posted its largest overall audience in nearly 21 months (since week of February 21-25, 2011) as the daytime drama series averaged 2.82 million viewers during the week of November 5-9, 2012. This was the programs largest overall audience under executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati.

The series was up 21% compared to the same week last year (week of November 7-11, 2011) in Total Viewers (2.82 million vs. 2.27 million), 54% in Women 18-34 (266,000 vs. 161,000) and 23% in Women 18-49 (679,000 vs 571,000). “General Hospital” edged “The Young and the Restless” in Women 18-34 with its largest competitive advantage in nearly 4 1/2 years (since week of June 23, 2008).

ABC News, with WMUR-TV, will host a Republican primary debate on Thursday, January 18, at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Chandler Massey opens up about reprising the role of Will Horton on “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem,” working with Zach Tinker as the new Sonny Kiriakis, that intimate shower scene, and teases his Hallmark Channel movie, “Next Stop Christmas.”