Soap Opera Babylon

In stinging style, the author discusses such matters as alcohol and drug abuse by soap actors, on-set feuds and fights, romances and affairs and the impact of AIDS on soap performers. The book gives much space to top personalities, including Susan Lucci, Dorothy Lyman, Donna Reed, Larry Hagman and Jane Wyman, and one chapter offers portraits of ""Dynasty dolls'' Diahann Carroll, Joan Collins and Linda Evans. Bonderoff recounts the ``infuriating treatment'' the president of the Days of Our Lives fan club received from the show's cast and brass; examines how ``soap writers and producers often find ways of exacting revenge on actors who get out of line''; and explores the careers of some performers who have left soaps. The book concludes with the ``S.O.B. Awards''for example, ``The Soap Hack-Writer Award'' and ``The Fear of Success Award.'' While never cutting as deeply as Kenneth Anger in Hollywood Babylon, Bonderoff outlines off-camera dramas in a way that will fascinate soap fans. (June)