This week’s soap gold standards were plentiful. Having to choose between them was really tough. But always trying to be fair, I narrowed it down to three soaps: “The Bold & the Beautiful,” “As The World Turns” and “General Hospital.” With a surprise from “Y&R” with two of my friends joining the cast this week.

“General Hospital” is a show with legions of amazing fans. “GH” is known in this industry for having fans that remain loyal and devoted to this show and the characters for decades. You don’t know how many times a week I hear, “I ditched classes to see Luke and Laura get married.” How many decades has that been? Let’s not count, I’m dating myself, because I remember that episode as well. I’ve known many of the “GH” stars for years, Steve Burton and Maurice Benard are certainly favorites not just of the fans but also the critics who watch the show.

However, an actor named Jason Thompson, who portrays Patrick Drake, who started on the show in 2005, has really come into his own. This week Patrick had to deal with the fallout of his choices. Choosing his vocation as an emergency care physician over his wife and child was a tough struggle. Patrick was torn and tormented. Thompson played it with an intensity that has become the “GH” trademark. Having so many strong actors on one show must be daunting and intimidating for the younger actors on the show, but this young man took it in stride. Jason Thompson is on his way to joining the league of incredible actors like Burton, Benard and Geary, all of whom have made “GH” a world phenomenon.

“As The World Turns” has the Bette Davis of daytime on their cast roster. Maura West is never anything short of unforgettable. Playing the tramp Carly with a heart has become her strong suit. Knowing West is nothing like her alter ego is what makes her work as an actress even more astonishing. Having to choose between Grayson McCouch’s work this week and Maura’s was like choosing between caviar and champagne. Can’t I have them both? Back to West. She portrayed the ditz Carly to perfection. Having best friend Lily try to explain to her why she shouldn’t become engaged to Craig Montgomery, trying to convince her ex, Jack, that she has a right to have her own life, while trying to be a mother and run a business. Hey, this sounds like Lisa! No, we’re actually talking about Carly.

Maura West is doing amazing work on “ATWT.” This week she really shined through in each scene. It’s amazing watching her eyes while scenes are being played out around her. West has an innate ability to steal her scenes just by playing it so understated. Christopher Goutman’s work as writer and producer has brought out many actors to their best work in years. Terri Colombino, Austin Peck and again, the ever amazing Grayson McCouch are actors who make “ATWT” worth watching.

Then there is “B&B.” This week I found myself starting the week in tears. No, not because of anything bad, but seeing the image of our beloved longtime friend, the late Darlene Conley who portrayed Sally Spectra to the highest level of talent on the wall at Jackie M. Enterprises made me smile. I am sure Bill Bell was smiling too. Down from heaven on his son Brad Bell, who not only kept his dad’s creation, Sally Spectra, on the show after Bradley took over the helms, but also keeping Darlene working over the years before she passed on. Thanks for that, Brad.

Bell also brought the excitement of old “B&B” to longtime fans from day one. The Forrester family always had to worry about the Spectra knock offs derailing the fabled Forrester fashion creations and just when we’d all thought we’d never see that again. In comes Bell’s amazing talent as head writer of the series and Jackie Marone and her son Nick played by the gorgeous Lesley Anne Down and the extremely talented Jack Wagner to show us the old Spectra days. Sally and Darlene would be proud of Down’s Jackie. Jackie thinks it’s crazy not to knock off/steal the Forrester designs that a secret “Forrester Insider” has been emailing Nick. After all, the Marones are facing a $15 million loan payment due immediately and the banker, typical of Ebenezer Scrooge demands that Nick come up with the money pronto.

Seeing Jackie twist and turn with emotions while son Nick is torn over doing the wrong thing in order to save his mother’s company. Jackie, like Sally believes the end justifies the means. After all, both like Spectra, Ms. Jackie M. has hundreds of employees who are possibly going to lose their job if Jackie M. Boutiques goes out of business and besides, Bell has brilliantly weaved the storyline to make Stephanie and Jackie one time arch enemies friendly as he once did with Stephanie and Sally.

Lesley Anne Down is amazing in this role. I never realized she had it in her. We all know she’s one of the great beauties of the screen. But who knew she had that spark that Darlene Conley also exuded? It’s amazing watching her at the top of her game. Leave it to multi talented Bradley P. Bell to remind us why he’s helming the most watched show on the planet.

This week’s Gold Standard had to be split evenly between Bradley Bell, Lesley Anne Down, Jason Thompson and Maura West. Isn’t it great when daytime TV is so good, you can’t make a choice?

And it was great seeing my longtime friend James Michael Gregary return to “Y&R” as the scheming evil and conniving Clint. And old friend Shiva Rose has arrived in Genoa City to stir up trouble for Billy Abbott and his sister in law and former love Chloe Ashby. Shiva, you never looked so good!