Hesser weighs 'Passions' pact

Vet close to inking for exec producer gig

By JOSEF ADALIAN

Soap vet Lisa Hesser is close to inking a deal to serve as exec producer of "Passions," the new NBC sudser launching this summer.

Final details of an agreement have yet to be hammered out, but sources say an agreement is likely to come within the next month. "Passions" is skedded to launch in July, with former "Days of Our Lives" writer James E. Reilly spearheading the show's development.

Hesser currently works as a producer on NBC's Spelling-produced soap "Sunset Beach." She's also done gigs on ABC sudsers "One Life to Live" and "All My Children."

An NBC spokesman declined comment.