Insiders say the show would like to keep Smith, but haven’t been able to work
out a deal. Other sources say there’s been talk of the actress jumping back to
ATWT, where she played Margo from 1983-89. Ellen Dolan, the show’s current
Margo, stepped in after Smith’s departure, stayed until 1992, left, then
returned in 1994 and has been there ever since. Her contract is said to expire
in 2006. Of the cast switch, an ATWT spokesperson says, “It’s not true.”
Smith’s agent, Dianne Busch of Leading Artists, Inc., maintains the actress
never told pals she was quitting, or scoffed at an offer, as reported in the
11/15 issues. She adds, “There are no negotiations, and there never were,”
between Smith and the show. Busch says questions as to Smith’s future status
should be referred to ABC. OLTL has no comment, reiterating its policy to not
talk about contract negotiations.
