Lynda Hirsch Bubbles
Over With Soap Scoop

ALICE BURDICK SCHWEIGER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

ynda Hirsch, nationally syn- Cleveland to recuperate, and it
dicated soap opera columnist, was then that she got her big
took an interest in soaps way break.
"I was home one day reading
efore they were fashionable.
"The television genre that I re- the newspaper and saw an ad
ally loved was daytime soaps — about watching soaps," she recalls.
before it was popular," says "It was to do soap summaries for
Hirsch, whose column is run in a magazine called The Soap Bub-
over 200 markets. "When I was in ble. But when I met with the
college, I used to go to the student women who were running the
lounge and turn on 'Search for To- magazine, I convinced them that
morrow.' If anyone walked in, I they needed an editor — and I got
would jump up and change the the job."
Without the wide distribution
channel to a quiz show.
"Even when I was 6 years old, and funding that it needed, the
I liked to figure out the storylines magazine eventually folded.
and do plot development in my Nonetheless, Hirsch's career took
head. I have always had a basic a major step forward when she re-
ceived a phone call from a news-
love for this genre."
But how does a nice Jewish girl paper syndicate. "Four months
from Cleveland wind up turning later I had the job," Hirsch says,
the hobby of watching soaps into who was in her early 20s at the
time.
a very successful career?
Still in Cleveland, her good for-
"My story is a very interesting
one," she reveals. "I can have the tune continued when she landed
worst luck in the world, and go a spot on local television. Over the
through hell for two years, but I years, Hirsch continued to make
can rise with a rose through my a name for herself, and today she
teeth. It may be the survivor as- is probably the most well-known
pect, since Jews are survivors. I soap expert in the country.
"I'm on TV in Cleveland three
think that has been the keynote
days a week, and I get to do all
in life."
After earning a degree in jour- kinds of exciting entertainment
nalism from Kent State, Hirsch reporting and interviews," says
wanted to be a political or enter- Hirsch, who produces nine syndi-
tainment reporter.
cated columns a week including
"I knew I wasn't going to get ac- soap updates, gossip, questions
cess to big stars like Elizabeth and answers, interviews and soap
Taylor, and I knew that getting scopes, which tell what happened
access to the soap stars wasn't that the day before.
hard at the time," she recalls. So
"It all started with an illness
she started to do freelance writing and a setback, and look what it
for magazines like Afternoon TV. turned into. I've been very
Deciding to hone her skills in a lucky." ❑
big market, Hirsch moved to New
York. Although she was offered a
e Lynda Hirsch will be ap-
full-time job at a national fan mag-
pearing at the Soap Opera
azine, she turned it down because
Fun Fair at Cobo Arena in De-
she preferred to work on a day-
troit on Sept. 20-22. See the
time TV publication. But unfor-
"Attractions" page for related
tunately, because of an illness,
story.,
Hirsch had to return home to

Vanna, Move Over

LIVE, it's "Wheel of Fortune," and you can have your chance at pick-
ing those proverbial letters for big prizes when the game comes to
the Palace of Auburn Hills at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13.
Contestants for the game show tour will be continuously select-
ed from the audience throughout the program to play "Wheel of For-
tune" and "The Newlywed Game." Tickets are $10 and $15 and
$2.50 for children 12 and under with the purchase of a full-price re-
served seat. Call (810) 645-6666.

If you've ever been a contestant on a game show, we want
to know. Please send or fax a brief description of your ap-
pearance and a phone number to contact you to: Julie Yolles,
Arts & Entertainment Editor, The Jewish News, 27676

Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034. Fax: (810) 354-6069. No phone
calls, please.

DETROIT
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DETROIT'S LIMITED ENGAGEMENT BEGINS TUESDAY,
OCTOBER 15th AT THE MASONIC TEMPLE THEATRE.

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Tickets also available at the Masonic and Fisher Theatre box offices
and all Ticketmaster Outlets.

GROUPS (20 or more): Call Amy (313) 871-1132
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Ahe

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PUBLISHED BY THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Debuts September 20, 1996