Dayton Daily News from Dayton, Ohio • 106

SOAP OPERAS Groome takes break for kids I pi j' I Afterschool Special, The Celebrity and the Arcade Kid. Co-starring will be Debbie Morgan, who also plays William's AAfCwife, Angle. The young actor, who is daytime's first bonafide black heartthrob (he receives more fan mail than almost any other two ABC male soap stars combined) Is also busy these days moonlighting with a singing career. When Williams hosted ABC's late-night music program, New York Hot Tracks, he invited his AMC aunt, Lisa Wilkinson (Nancy Grant) to guest-star. Both performers knocked 'em dead with their tunes.

ROBERT BURTON, WHO'S probably appeared in more daytime soaps than any other living actor, has turned producer. During the shooting of the pilot of his new series Alias Zachary Drake, tentatively scheduled as a mid-season prime time replacement, Bobbie turned to the ranks of daytimers and chose Michael Tylo (Quint Chamberlain on Guiding Light) to play the villain. Tylo recently returned from Brownsville, where he made a personal appearance to help raise funds for the renovation of the community's historic Nemacolin Castle. As befits a By JON-MICHAEL REED IMM FMlvrt Svndkatt NEW YORK While ABC's Ryan's Hope casting office searched for a new love interest for Dr. Pat Ryan, actor Malcolm Groome, who originated and recently returned to the role after a few years absence, took two weeks off from duty at RH's Riverside Hospital.

Groome went to Cincinnati, where he filmed a Young People's TV Special, entitled Danny and the Killer Rain, scheduled for syndicated broadcast through NBC. "I think It's obvious from the title that this is a show with an environ-. mental theme," says Groome. "I play Danny's father, a newspaper reporter who connects a story he reads on acid rain with the health problems of his son's duck. Before anyone says a word about the plot premise, It should be remembered that the producers have won 18 Emmy Awards for their Young People's Specials." ANOTHER ABC SOAPER who'll soon be seen in a youth-oriented TV show is Darnell Williams (Jesse Hubbard on All My Children).

Williams will play two roles, a teen-age movie idol and his street-smart double who decide to switch identities, In the ABC ROBERT BURTON Has turned producer castle fund-raiser, Tylo gave a fencing exhibition. CAPITOL'S EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, John Conboy, auditioned more than 400 actors to play Zed Diamond before he chose model Bradley Lockerman. "This guy has it all," says Conboy, "smoldering looks, a hunky body and talent to boot. He's going to be a major star." Actors turn to soaps for security By JON-MICHAEL REED Unlttd FMturt Syndicate despite repeated and passionate offers." AT 6-FOOT-3 with about 180 pounds of rippling muscle, he's a definite temptation. Brown reserves his bachelor attentions for a woman, eight years his senior, whom he met on a Malibu beach three years ago.

The number of former daytimers now finding fame in primetlme is expanding this season. Dynasty boasts a slew of ex-day soapers. The younger half of Hard-castle McCormlck is Daniel Hugh-Kelly, the best of the numerous Frank Ryans on Ryan's Hope. Another former RH'tr, James Sloyan, who played Mitch Bronsky, is now Madeline Kahn's better half in Oh, Madeline. Shea Farrell, previously Matt McCandless on Capitol, has joined the staff of Hotel.

And Doug Sheehan, who brought humor and irresistible charm to his portrayal of Joe Kelly on General Hospital, is doing even better as Joan Van Ark's new love interest on Knots Landing. NEW YORK Actors known primarily for nighttime TV work are turning to daytime soaps for job security and longevity. One of the more impressive of these actors Is Philip Brown, who portrays rugged sportscaster Steve Kendall on Search for Tomorrow. Long before he caught the attention of daytime viewers, Brown was making a name for himself on such nighttime series as Tucker's Witch, Dukes of Hazzard and The Love Boat. He's been an actor since childhood, when he spent three years playing Doris Day's son on her TV program.

And the blond, blue-eyed charmer made his first professional appearance in a commercial at age 7. He briefly appeared on General Hospital as Luke's physical therapist before he landed the STrole. The 25-year-old actor enjoys a good game of soccer and does volunteer work with the Special PHILIP BROWN Stars in 'Search for Tomorrow' Olympics program for the handicapped. And, as one lustful Search set-slder reports, "He doesn't dally with any of the girls at the studio, 10 Oct. 23, 1983 TV DateBook.