MICHAEL CORBETT ON DAYTIME COMEBACK

In a surprise casting move, Michael Corbett (ex-David, Y&R et al) returned to day time last week to play the judge on B&B who presided over Sheila’s case.

The actor credits his comeback to Y&R’s 50th anniversary celebration last March. “It was a perfect night,” says the soap vet, who played the dastardly David from 198691. “I was an invited guest but I came with Jess Walton [Jill], who has been a very dear friend for years. It was such an amazing party for me, especially because Y&R was a big part of my life. It was reuniting with old friends and wonderful colleagues and it really was as if no time had passed from when I was on the show. All of the camaraderie was still there, so it was such a love-filled evening.”

Corbett surmises that his presence that night reminded the right people of his soap opera pedigree. “Nobody knows my skill set when it comes to daytime television better than the Bells,” he explains. “Brad [Bell, B&B’s executive producer/head writer] knows exactly what I can do and later I was offered this role of Judge Evan Scott.”

Corbett’s first call was to Walton. “She was absolutely thrilled for me,” he recalls. “I said, ‘Please tell me you’re working such-and-such dates so I can see you,’ but she said, ‘Sorry, honey. I’m not, and I’m up here in Oregon, so I can’t run over to the studio.’ ”