On today's Super-sized Daytime Confidential podcast Luke Kerr, Jamey Giddens, Jillian Bowe, Regan Cellura and Melodie Aikels dish the latest All My Children, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live and The Young and the Restless headlines and storylines, including:

Prospect Park cuts All My Children and One Life to Live’s weekly episodes from four to two. One of the reasons given was that fans were watching one show or the other, but not both. AMC and OLTL are dropped from FX Canada. Do fans of the shows have reason to worry? Michael Nader returns to Pine Valley as Dimitri Marick.

The Bold and the Beautiful had a busy week of casting news. Hunter Tylo says she's off contract. Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is taking a hiatus. Former Days of Our Lives star Darin Brooks joins the soap and his character will be involved with Hope. Rena Sofer joins B&B as the mother of Brooks' character. Brooke tries to steal one of Taylor’s men, yet again.

Rafe is attacked on Days of Our Lives. Sami, EJ and Stefano find out about Kate and Rafe’s relationship. Is JJ the voice of DAYS viewers?

General Hospital debuts a slew of new characters, portrayed by Maura West, Kristen Alderson, Roger Howarth and Michael Easton. The DC gang weighs in on the arrivals with their First Impressions. Did GH miss a beat by not pairing Morgan with Ava Jerome in a "Mrs. Robinson" storyline? Did lightning strike a third time for Kelly Monaco and Michael Easton?

GH casts Samantha Logan as a sister for Felix. Is TJ being written as a stereotypical “angry black man?” Jane Elliot needs to submit Monday’s scenes opposite of Anthony Geary for an Emmy nomination next year. The DC crew gives thumbs up or thumbs down to The Chew and General Hospital’s crossover.

Michelle Stafford is leaving The Young and the Restless as Phyllis. Find out who the DC gang thinks would make a good recast. Y&R casts Mishael Morgan as a character who will interact with Cane and Lily. Why do Y&R regimes INSIST on making Cane the heir apparent to the Chancellor empire ,when fans so vocally oppose it?

Should Traci be there for Michael and revive her rivalry with Lauren? Not a single member of the DC gang believes Kevin or Chloe would steal from Katherine. Y&R is reviving the question about Summer’s paternity. Michael learns about Lauren and Carmine.

All this and MUCH more on today’s Daytime Confidential podcast. 
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As The World Turns superstar Maura West is in Port Charles! What are your First Impressions of her debut as Ava Jerome on General Hospital? READ MORE

Over 10 days ago Daytime Confidential first reported hearing Emmy winner Maura West had joined the General Hospital cast in a “top secret role.” Well it’s not so secret anymore! According to published reports, West is already taping the newly created role of Ava Jerome.

Photo by PR Photos

One of the most talented stars ever to grace daytime television is on her way to Port Charles, New York, according to several sources. We're hearing As The World Turns and The Young and the Restless alum Maura West is joining the cast of ABC Daytime's General Hospital in a top secret role. Keep checking back with Daytime Confidential as this casting bombshell develops!
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Talk about CarJack heaven. Former As the World Turns co-stars Maura West and Michael Park reunited at the curtain call for A Christmas Story: The Musical.

West's 12-year old son Joe West shares the role of Ralphie with Johnny Rabe in the musical, which is running at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City through December 30.

Visit the official website for more information. See more photos after the jump!

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Joe West, the 12-year-old son of former As the World Turns favorite Maura West and Scott DeFreitas (ex-Andy, ATWT), has landed the role of Ralphie in the Broadway production of A Christmas Story, The Musical, according to Broadway World. West will share the role with Johnny Rabe. Producer Gerald Goehring couldn’t be more pleased to have the two join the show. Said Goehring:

"After months of searching, we are thrilled to have found two exceptionally talented boys to play the role of Ralphie," producer Gerald Goehring said in a statement. "Broadway's newest 12-year-old triple threat, Johnny Rabe, graduated from the ranks of the kids' ensemble in last year's tour to become our terrific young leading man. And Joe West wowed us with his online video audition and now joins our fabulous company. We couldn't be more excited to be the first to share these two young stars with the Broadway community!" READ MORE