Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[katie_9918]

Looking back, the show certainly was in the middle of a high period while JFP was around. Yes, it was a HUGE mistake to kill Maureen, but most of the other things she had a hand in were pretty good.

Certainly better than that horrible 1977 story that brought Bill Bauer back from the dead, filleted him, and then ushered him right back out of town when he should have stayed put and taken Papa Bauer's place alongside Bert. What was the point of bringing Ed Bryce back for that travesty? Bill may have had more than his fair share of weaknesses, but in reading all I could about the Bauers, he always read like a well-meaning, good-hearted, decent man and neither he nor Bert realized they were incompatible until after they were married.

Does anyone remember Bill's reaction to Bert's surprising reaction to his affair with Maggie Scott? From everything I've read, it was supposedly a turning point for Bill and Bert and things got a little better between them.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Though, I do wonder how the show would have turned out had Robert Calhoun stayed and got to work with Nancy Curlee and Stephen Demorest much longer, instead of having Jill and her meddling tendencies to deal with.

[DRW50]

I posted an interview with Ed Bryce a while back, from when he was leaving GL again, and he seemed bewildered by the writing choices. I know there was a lot of fan anger over the story and Bill's behavior, that may have cut the story short.

I think Jill did love GL, her vision of GL, I just think she should have had people working with her who could offer a different view. Bringing in so many Santa Barbara actors in ill-defined roles was the biggest mistake.

[Paul Raven]

The stars come to Springfield! Ashford & Simpson,B-52's, Maurice Gibb and Judy Collins all appeared in Summer of 82.

Edited September 2, 2012 by Paul Raven

[DRW50]

I wish I could see the Judy Collins episode.

[katie_9918]

After reading through the history of the show, I was pretty angry myself when I realized where Bill Bauer ultimately ended up. That sort of story is simply inherently unsympathetic, but there would have been so many small ways to take the harsh edges off and still not let Bill off the hook for abandoning Bert and Michael and Ed. Hell, I could probably come up with a story that didn't completely demolish Bill Bauer.

I'm glad to see Ed Bryce wasn't all that enthused about the story. I'm sure there were times he was reading the script and wondering, "Who IS this?"

Of course, twenty years later, Ed did almost the same thing to his almost-grown daughter. The only thing he didn't do was let Michelle and Rick think he was dead, but he did check out on them. Amazing how alike Bill and Ed were, especially given the fact that Ed seemed to not really like or respect Bill for different periods.

Edited September 2, 2012 by katie_9918

[DRW50]

Here's the interview, if you want to read it.

[katie_9918]

Wow, thanks! I've always been curious about the old-school Bauer clan and it did answer a few questions for me.

For curiosity's sake, I'd love to see more of that storyline. I've already seen the "Man of the Year" episode (was that Bill's first appearance, or had he already been on for a bit, visiting Hillary?) where Rita picked up the photograph Bill dropped, thanks to the Bauer Family DVDs. Does anyone remember how Bill and Bert left things this time around? I know Bert filed for divorce, in essence letting Bill go back to Simone, but did they get any time together to talk about any number of things?

If the rest of the story was anything like the scene where Bert first reunites with Bill from the Bauer family tribute from the 50th anniversary week (with Ed Bryce introducing the clips), I'd have to commend both Ed Bryce and Charita Bauer for rising above that horrid story and giving us at least one poignant moment.

[DRW50]

I have some synopses of that year, if you want to see any. You may have already read them though.

[katie_9918]

I'd love to see whatever you have! Thank you! Everything I've read paints a pretty broad stroke over a lot of things.

[DRW50]

OK, great. When I find them again I'll put them up and PM you.

[katie_9918]

Thanks! Don't rush or anything, but I'll be glad to check them out.

[katie_9918]

While I've got someone's attention on Bill Bauer, here's an inconvenient question.

During all those years in Vancouver, exactly how did Bill get those anti-rejection meds he needed for that new heart he got in the '60s?

[DRW50]

[KMan101]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it Carl.

I like the list of who the people writing in wanted to see back. Everyone came back except Hope and Mike (and obviously Maureen, though she did make appearances as a ghost/vision), which makes again point out what a mistake GL made by not bringing those two characters back.

Edited September 6, 2012 by KMan101