General Hospital's head writer, Bob Guza, recently spoke with Soap Opera Digest about stories that viewers can expect to see in 2010, and he added one intriguing comment about the re-appearance of Chad Brannon (Zander Smith) later this month.

According to Guza, Brannon will not be reprising the role of Zander. His presence on GH, however, will be to give Natalia Livingston (Rebecca Shaw) a "great sendoff."

Other items:

• The Cassadine mystery, delayed because of the Franco storyline, will debut in the spring.

• Lisa-Robin-Patrick is not a "typical triangle," and the writers aren't looking to break up "Scrubs."

• The Webber family is being expanded once again, which is why the character of Steven Webber returned. Also, Steven is a great adversary for Patrick.

For those interested, you can read the complete interview in the latest Soap Opera Digest.

Photo: Adam Larkey/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

Kudos to General Hospital writers and actors Steve Burton and James Franco for the great scenes Jason-Franco scenes on last Friday's show. For those who missed it, it's worth trying to get a look at it somehow, perhaps on youtube. The anticipated meeting between mobster and artist was funny, tense, and edgy, all at the same time.

Gone was the cool, sexy, soft-voiced Franco who met Maxie at the art show. This Franco was nervous, giggly, frenetic, and eager to please Jason with red M&Ms, chips, and champagne.

The question is, other than being certifiable, is Franco serious or putting it all this obsession/separated at birth act on? Hard to tell the way that James Franco is playing the role, but from the line "This is over when I say it's over," it's clear Franco plans on running this show.

Steve Burton can do more with a stare than anyone. The character of Jason faced with someone like Franco has absolutely no idea what to do or how to react. You can see the wheels turning in Jason's head as he tries to figure out his next move. And just when he thinks he has the information that he wants...Franco surprises him.

James Franco is giving this psycho character many layers. We need more interactions like this to make the best use of the storyline, character, and actor.

Photo: Ron Tom/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

As the World Turns fans: I'd save postage and time trying to get CBS to reconsider cancelation of your soap opera.

CBS President Les Moonves comes right to the point in an interview with CNBC.

Before breaking into laughter, Moonves states that the soaps had long runs, but "their day is over."