Why Rena Sofer is RETURNING to GH

SOD--1/28/97

"I'm going to come back for a week," reveals GENERAL HOSPITAL STAR Rena Sofer (Lois). "Now that the new show isn't going to go, Ned needs closure with Lois."

The "new show" Sofer is referring to is the Ned and Lois spin-off, which was nixed by ABC last year in favor of a hospital-themed spin off being called GH2. According to ABC sources, the original plan was for Ned and Lois to break up on GH and then reunite on their own show. "There are so many questions," chimes in Sofer's real-life husband, Wallace Kurth (Ned). "Like, why hasn't Ned seen the baby? It's impossible to understand why he's not with her."

Sofer just wrapped up a USA cable movie called STEPSISTER in Vancouver. "The baby was on the set with me the whole time," she smiles. On her return to GH, Sofer says, "I am so looking forward to working with Vanessa [Marcil, Brenda] and Maurice [Benard, Sonny] again. And John Ingle! And, of course, Wally. My dream was to do this new show, and then I would have worked with Wally everyday."

If the mail to DIGEST is any indication (including the 600-name* petition demanding Sofer's return), GH is wise to plan this story peak for February sweeps. "I am so happy to have Rena back, even if it's only for a short while," says executive producer Wendy Riche. "We all wish she would come back forever."

*The petition has over 1600 signatures now.