Bursting Bubbles

How concerned are Reilly's competitors at the traditional soaps? ''Y&R'' head writer Kay Alden admits that Harmony's wicked ways ''may be a natural wake up call.'' On the other hand, plenty of Alden's old school peers would rebel at stunts such as recreating ''Titanic's'' fateful voyage -- like ''Passions'' did last fall to showcase the past lives of its supercouple, Sheridan and Luis. ''My mind doesn't work that way,'' says industry vet Agnes Nixon, creator of ''All My Children.'' Longtime ''Y&R'' star Eric Braeden sniffs, ''It's pandering to the lowest common denominator.''

Fortunately for them, the traditional approach isn't dead yet. ABC's ''General Hospital'' battles ''Days'' weekly for the No. 1 spot among women 18-49, and ''Y&R'' remains the most-watched soap in households. Even ''Passions'' succumbs to the conventional occasionally: It'll treat fans to four weddings in December. Says ABC's head of daytime Brian Scott Frons, ''Jim Reilly is a smart guy, but if he starts getting feedback that people are tired of Tabitha, she'll be on the first train to Hooterville and ''Passions'' will be a show about a hospital. Let's not kid ourselves.'' Replies Reilly, ''If audiences began turning against ''Passions,'' I'd be fired long before I'd have a chance to change the show.''

Until then, Reilly is keeping the crazy train rolling: This month, a Harmony resident's Thanksgiving meal will be sabotaged by Cracked Connie, a demonic living doll. Wright, for one, is pleased, particularly since ''Passions'' offers challenges beyond swooning or slapping rivals in disgust. ''We have earthquakes all the time. It's hard to simulate the ground shaking and caves falling in on us,'' she says. ''I feel like I'm on an action-adventure more than a soap.''