Susan Lucci is apparently no Erica Kane.
The "All My Children" icon was at the Mall of America Saturday signing her memoir "All My Life." After her line of adoring fans came to an end, Lucci remained on stage to sign copies of the book that Barnes & Noble will keep on hand for fans who couldn't make the event.
Excusing myself, I asked Lucci if writers of the long-running soap opera, now the subject of cancellation rumors, had ever suggested a story line for Erica that Susan thought was silly. She didn't answer. A guy with a beautiful mane of hair -- her publicist, as identified to me by Barnes & Noble staffers -- said she was preoccupied with autographing.
She can't sign and talk at the same time?
"Wish I was that talented," Lucci said.
Such endearing self-effacement prompted me to skip the first smart alecky thing that popped in my mind -- I'll bet Erica can multi-task! -- and my sheathed tongue was rewarded. A bookstore staffer told me Lucci would answer two questions.
And Lucci meant it, as indicated when her husband, Helmut Huber, startled me by barking "TWO QUESTIONS!"
All right, already.