CBS cancels Guiding Light

[ReddFoxx]

Even though GL was teetering on the edge for a long time now, I can't help but think the economic climate is what gave it the final push. Every time one soap falls, another one is pushed right to the front of the line and at this point I think all soaps are on the edge. If ratings dip, the cash strapped networks won't have a problem canning soaps, it's one and the easiest method of saving cash.

[rangethatrover]

It didn't really hit me until it was on the yahoo main page- it was THE main news item with a pic of Josh and Reva- it made me very sad.

[DeeeDee]

Pretty much.

[Dan]

Yeah. It's the biggest and widest spread soap news I've heard in awhile.

[JimTolkien]

I wouldn't be quite so sure about saying it will not at some point have any real effect on Y&R and B&B and other type of shows. Neither did we see the economy going through this turmoil either. The fact is CBS Daytime is under a bigger umbrella company which is public. And CBS is built on ad revenue of which is just tanking at the moment which is probably because of the recession but I think the problem goes deeper than that. So while we can wade our way out of the recession, those advertisers that use CBS especially the TV side of things most likely won't. The remaining soaps are going to have retool themselves at some point and we as fans are going to have to retool ourselves too. And CBS TV will need to rethink its strategy as well..JMHO, they already started -no Daytime Emmys this year - it wasn't worth it financially for them (luckily that only happens once a year).

[Y&RWorldTurner]

September 18th is going to be one of the most bitter-sweet days of my life.

I wanted for a good 5 years now to see this show put out of its misery, but somehow, I'll feel like I'm losing something that was a big (albeit non-human) part of my life. I'm definitely staying home from work that day to watch it in real time, post amongst posters, and reminisce on the good times. If it wasn't for GL, I wouldn't be a soap fan or cared what the hell happened to this genre.

After 72 years, CBS and P&G owe it to this show and to the fans to give it one hell of a send off. I want returns, characters getting back together, flashbacks, and more. I want to laugh, cry, be miserable, yet be happy while watching the finale.

[Cheap21]

Marcy Rylan come to AMC or better OLTL as the new Sarah Roberts!

[DaytimeFan]

P&G has distanced itself from its soaps with the invention of TeleNext...P&G isn't going to get in a fight with CBS. They both need each other, P&G sells products that run the gamut, you best believe they want everyone watching NCIS or any one of 'those' shows buying Gilette shaving cream and Pringles chips.

In terms of soaps, Y&R offers the best bang for the buck. It's nothing personal, it's just business.

[dragonflies]

Damn this sucks, I honestly thought it wouldn't be cancelled, and I always figured Days would go before any soap.

Sets a very bad precedent, especially when there isn't that big of a gap between the ratings GL was getting and the ratings some of the other shows have been getting as of late.

I think AMC will be next, even before ATWT. OLTL being profitable will save it, and GH is the flagship of the network and it tends to bounce back due to the stunts Guza does.

AMC is now pretty much Melrose Place lite.....

I dunno know if people are gonna want to invest in a new soap if they feel like it will just end up like Guiding Light. Did any soaps get a sudden surge of viewers after AW was cancelled?

[DaytimeFan]

No soap picked up viewers from AW...but no soap lost viewers because of AW either. The fact is that people watch 'their show' for themselves and when that show ends, so does their viewership. They might watch what replaces it, they might not.

[AllAboutAngst]

I would LOVE that! Jeanne has said a lot of nice things about Gina, I think it would be great if she could play Victoria. It would fit her. I would hate that Heinle would be out of a job, but she never fit the role anyway.

[rangethatrover]

I hope GL wins Best Show in August (even if is not deserved for 2008).. it should be quite a moment. The emmys better honor the hell out of GL, tribute wise.

[rangethatrover]

They have plenty of time for an amazing sendoff. I think the show deserves a primetime special. I would really hope that they would return to a stdio for the final month or something...

[Dan]

Not necessarily about Best SHow, but the Emmys better have a great tribute planned. And to you SOD, I want a freaking cover the week of the 18th!!! I don't care if you lose money that week, it's the right thing to do. After 72 years it deserves it.

[MarkH]

Oh dude! You are totally locked into the 70s with me, man! The Sunday Night Mystery Movie! I may be the only guy in the room who understood what you were talking about, LOL. Love it!