Happiness got to speak with Christian LeBlanc, who plays lawyer Michael Baldwin on CBS soap "The Young & The Restless."

He's the host of this weekend's "Soap Star Spectacular," an event featuring CBS stars, and fan interaction. There's a Q & A session, a trivia game, a chance to learn about soap directing and another chance to act with the stars. Along with stars from "Y & R" (including Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chandler), and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Newman), there are stars from "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "Guiding Light" -- well just Kim Zimmer.

Because of his Green Beret dad, LeBlanc was born in Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville. In truth, he's a Louisiana boy, like his character.

You can read more here, but here's some scoop not in the article:

Stars from CBS soap operas will come to Raleigh this month to meet and entertain local fans.

The "Soap Star Spectacular" consists of a Q&A session where fans can quiz the stars, a live trivia game in which fans try to stump the stars, and an interactive session in which fans can write for and then direct the soap stars in on-stage scenes. 

Fans who purchase a VIP package will also get to attend a pre-show event where they can mingle, get autographs, and have their picture taken with the actors. The VIP package also comes with priority reserved seating. And every fan attending is entered in a chance to win a cabin for two aboard Soap Cruise in January.

So which stars will be in town?

David Hasselhoff is returning to the place where he got his start -- Genoa City.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Hasselhoff will return to "The Young & the Restless" this summer to reprise his role as Dr. William "Snapper" Foster, Jr. He was on the show from 1975 to 1982, when he left to star in "Knight Rider." Hasselhoff went on to launch "Baywatch" and was a judge on "America's Got Talent." On Y&R, Dr.  Snapper left Genoa City to accept a teaching fellowship in London.

The Hoff is currently slated to star in his own reality show, which will air this year on A&E. The show will give a behind-the-scenes look at Hasselhoff's life as he raises his daughters and helps one try to launch a singing career.

"Young and the Restless" fans can relax. Victor Newman is returning to Genoa City.

Sony Pictures Television cut Eric Braeden's salary from $1.5 million to $1 million and the actor opted earlier this month to leave the show. His last episode was to have aired on November 2. 

But TheWrap.com was the first to report last night that Braeden, who has played Victor Newman for almost 30 years, has agreed to accept the pay cut and return to the show. 

Braeden told Entertainment Weekly just over a week ago that he had "pulled the plug" on negotiations. He also explained that he had taken a 10% pay cut two years ago and had offered during negotiations this year to take an additional cut on top of that, but that it wasn't enough for Sony.

It looks like Colleen's heart is going to waste.

TV Guide magazine is reporting that Eric Braeden, the iconic big man of Genoa City, is leaving CBS' "The Young and the Restless."

It seems Sony took advantage of a standard clause in soap contracts that leaves a star’s salary prone to renegotiation every 26 weeks. Sony demanded that Braeden take a major pay cut; Braeden chose to walk.

As CBS soap 'Guiding Light' winds down in September, CBS has sent a warning to another show with 'ratings challenges': As The World Turns.

Guiding Light will be replaced by a new version of "Let's Make a Deal" hosted by Wayne Brady, and according to the New York Post, CBS president Nina Tassler says she can't say ATWT is safe.

Meanwhile, "The Young & the Restless" remains popular -- it's the Number One Nielsen rated daytime drama -- but it's not immune to financial woes. The show got a two-year renewal, according to SoapCentral. com, but producers have been told to trim the budget (reduced salaries and job losses) and cut production costs.

I don't know about production costs (everybody's goes to three places: the Athletic Club, Crimson Lights, and that dive bar) but there are some story lines and people that can go. Tyra comes to mind. The new Adam.

What do you think?

Sometimes the drama behind the scenes on soaps come close to matching the drama on screen.

Take
the case of 'Young and the Restless' and the actor who played Adam Wilson, the son of Victor Newman.

He left the show under a cloud that included being labeled a homophobe.