Joe,
You know I don't care much for soap operas but I think this is a fairly noteworthy happening.
A little history first:
“Guiding Light”- then known only as "Light" was created by soap matriarch Irna Phillips (who also masterminded “As the World Turns” and “Days of Our Lives,” now NBC’s lone daytime drama). It debuted on NBC radio in 1937 as a 15-minute serial, then came to CBS television on June 30, 1952. (Yet another Phillips creation, “The Brighter Day,” began on radio in 1948, then began its eight-year TV run in 1954.)
In 1968, “Guiding Light” expanded to 30 minutes and, in 1977, it became a full hour. Guiding Light currently holds the record for the longest running TV program in the Guiness Book of World Records.
On Friday, 9/18/09, Guiding Light will air for the last time. For many, the Guiding Light has been a part of their lives as they grew up. To those people it will be like saying goodbye to a childhood friend. Indeed, many hearts will be heavy as they turn of the "Light" for the last time.
I remember my grandfather watching Guiding Light and I watch it when I can = which isn't very often.
ReplyDeleteI have watched GL for many years and I believe they made a huge mistake when they changed to the "live" filming. It just wasn't the same after that and I wouldn't be surprised to find that this one change made the difference in the viewership.
ReplyDeleteI think this show is why my father in law lived as long as he did because he had to be there tomorrow when the soaps were on. He needed to see what would be happening to all those people he "knew". For that I appreciate all the work that goes into making these shows and making them believable.
ReplyDeleteI grew up watching Guiding Light! This is sad news indeed.
ReplyDeleteRead a book people, this is garbage. Bubble gum for the brain.
ReplyDeleteI watched GL with my grandmother,and mother when I was a little girl.Now almost 40 my 20 year old daughter and I watch it together.We grew up with this show and yes we will be very sad when it ends:(
ReplyDeleteI'm not much on soaps- but it was sort of like a rite of passage to watch Guiding Light. Once I got in middle school, I was home by 3:30- in time to see the last half hour of the show. For some of us middle schoolers, it was something tangible to make us feel more grown up. I haven't watched it in many, many years- but I might have to set the DVR to record the final episode, for old time's sake.
ReplyDeleteWhat an heirloom memory, I recall my mother watching Guiding Light back in the sixties, along with Love Of Life and others. I kind of liked the Art Linkletter show and Lets Make a Deal.Oh the memories!!! Hope it's not going to be replaced by some dumb ass reality or talk show !!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know it kept my grandmother company while her son was in Viet Nam. For this, I'm glad it kept her mind off what was happening. Back then we didn't have email so she had to wait for letters which weren't often.
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping her company.
I just pulled up the tv schedule for next week.
ReplyDeleteAt 3:00, they will be showing The Price is Right.
Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatttttt....NOT!
I also watched this show as a child with my grandmother, and mother, and now with my daughters. It is like losing family. I am 33 and have watched everyday since Kindergarten. I have cried buckets this week and last and think another talk show or game show is not going to gain any ratings for CBS...by the way I do read books.
ReplyDeleteThis show is no different than fantasy shows that men watch like Star Trek, it is entertainment and it will be missed!
It was a great soap at one time but it fell victim to the same disease all the other soaps get sooner or later.Far-fetched plots just got boring.In my mothers generation the soaps were basically people on cheating on each other onscreen,and the occasional medical crisis.In this generation we saw characters who time travelled,got cloned,got posessed,died and came back,ad nauseam.
ReplyDeleteThat being said I do admit that "Y&R" on Soapnet is a guilty pleasure.