The e-mail looked like spam in my work inbox, so it was several days before I thought to open it. What it was was a piece of marketing brilliance: An invite to be an extra on ABC’s “All My Children.” The idea: Flatter the egos of several journalists and get a little publicity for the new book the show is pushing.

Hook, line, sinker, I took the bait. (As an aside, I’ve noticed several journalists wanted to be actors at one time or another. Not me. I’ve always wanted to be a model, but seeing as I’m 5’2, I just don’t think it’s in the cards). Since I didn’t want to be alone, I brought along my co-worker, Julie.

On set, the “real press,” (which included journalists from New York, Star and OK! Magazine) were mixed up with actor-reporters. Below is a little game I put together for you. Who in these pictures is a real reporter, and who is an actor?

Hmm… tough call. If you guessed the real reporters were the two dashing divas at the bar, you get an A++. If you thought the guy with the press pass next two the two dashing divas was a reporter, you get an F. Few real reporters wander around parties wearing press passes. In fact, few reporters even have them. And if you guessed the man with a pocket handkerchief was one, you get an F-. The lady with the very convincing reporter's notebook? Also an actor.

For those not familiar with All My Children, here's what's happened. The character Kendall Hart has written a book. ABC's publishing wing, Hyperion, has published it in real life, under the character's name. In the episode we were in, Kendall mentioned that the name of the book was inspired by her charm bracelet. She is also considering launching a new perfume to coincide with the book. Bottom line, ABC knows how to milk the soap biz for all it's worth.