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The OnLine Network brought each show back April 29 in a half-hour format (three- minute ad breaks). Now shot in Stamford, Conn., after decades in Manhattan, both "AMC" and "OLTL" in their first streaming week seemed a bit less claustrophobic, but otherwise their old selves, thanks to many returning actors -- 19 for "OLTL," a dozen for "AMC." (Notable no-show: Susan Lucci as "AMC's" Erica Kane.)

Newbies have been added, too. "High School Musical" hottie Corbin Bleu brings the most juice to "OLTL," as a reporter on to a "black ops" CIA scandal pitting upstanding publisher Viki (linchpin Erika Slezak) against ruthless rival Dorian (Robin Strasser). Some key roles have been recast, with returns and replacements still being announced.

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Staying on its past track works best for "OLTL," which was sizzling before ABC's ax and returns with that political mess, among other entanglements. There's delish drama in finally having both Todd portrayers back (long story), at least until actor Roger Howarth returns to his "General Hospital" contract. "OLTL" also kept its Indian young marrieds, while "AMC" has daytime's first black supercouple, Angie and Jesse (Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams).

"OLTL's" youthful actors are better woven into adult action, while "AMC" has long struggled with that. AMC also has grappled with creating any buzz in recent years, and has lost key characters in its five-year timeline leap. The pace there still drags compared to "OLTL's" real-world full-throttle, aided by humor from Howarth and Tuc Watkins' boy-toy David Vickers.

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"AMC": B