Executive Producer Breaks Silence; Backstage Shake-Up

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(Tulsa, OK) - September 9, 2007 -- After weeks of silence and no regular posting the Executive Producer of "The Guiding Light" has broke his silence.

"It has been a trying time the last few weeks," Hawkins stated earlier this weekend from the studios of the SONBC blog. "There has been some interest in reprising an earlier project that I created in 2001 plus other backstage shockers."

Hawkins confirms that co-Head Writer Dan Gobble has stepped down from the post he's held since December 2006. "Dan did approach me earlier this week and express his desire to step down as my co-head writer," the EP confirmed.

Gobble who joined and led the writing team during his nine month stint crafted such stories as Roger's Death, Holly and Ed's Breakup and was key in luring back Bethany Joy Galeotti back as Michelle Bauer earlier this year and casting Ben Hogestyn as Shayne Lewis.

"Officially Dan will no longer be credited as co-Head Writer, however he has written a lengthy storyline for Spaulding Enterprises and other key stories. Dan is first and foremost my friend and valuable member of this creative team, without him the last nine months I do not know what direction the soap would have taken," said Hawkins. Gobble retains the title of "Senior Storyline Consultant" effective immediately.

The show will continue, eventually. Stories are being tweaked and motified to benefit readers and work around a solo head-writer schedule. "I am committed to telling the stories of the great people of Springfield," Hawkins confirmed. "Daytime is in such a terrible place as a lifelong viewer of "Guiding Light" I think this is the way the stories should be playing out."

Gobble's presence will still be seen and heard in each episode. "Dan's left a mark on The Guiding Light and it is one that will not fade away into the night."

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