Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[BetterForgotten]

The Ritounelle theme is the best music GL ever had, IMO. I also think it's synonymous with the show's very best eras.  

[cassadine1991]

How long did the Ritounelle theme last? 1975-1981? Also were there different versions?

[zanereed]

 

Correct, 1975 to 1981 (when the "disco" theme made its first appearance!). I think there were only two versions - the original with the female voices and the second with the strings replacing the female voices. Unfortunately, I can't remember when the strings version came into play. I want to say it was 1976, but I can't be certain.

Edited October 31, 2016 by zanereed

[BetterForgotten]

Was it Bridget Dobson that said they would try to write a compelling opening teaser and then "it would flash to that thing with the dead leaves?"

Edited October 31, 2016 by BetterForgotten

[NothinButAttitude]

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[BetterForgotten]

God, 1996 was a terrible year for this show. 

[BetterForgotten]

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[BetterForgotten]

I always liked the turbulent yet soothing music they used in Roger/Holly scenes in the early 90s - a perfect background for their dynamic. There were variations of it, it's kinda overdone towards the end of the brilliant scenes below, but still perfect. 

 

In retrospect, it's amazing that Roger and Holly's returns worked as well as they did. GL was such a different show by 1989, but despite all the changes and the show being an entirely different beast than their previous stint, it worked and was just the shot in the arm the show needed. Not to mention, it drove years worth of stories. When I started watching, I didn't even really know their history, how long they were away, and how the show had changed - they were just compulsively watchable characters both together and apart. Goes to show what great characters, actors, and writing can bring to the table. 

 

If I'm honest, this is probably the only time in my soap viewing existence where returns worked and the characters were arguably better defined than during their original stint. Too bad Zaslow and Garrett (especially her) remain so underrated and still never get the credit they deserve. 

 

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[DRW50]

 

Very eloquently said. I had not seen any of their original material for eons but I loved them, especially Garrett's work as Holly. It was almost startling watching her original run (what there is of it), because while she still gives good performances, the character is so much more basic. The time away and the generally more complex writing for women on GL in the best years of her second stint were a blessing for her. It's amazing to think how if a few things had gone differently, she may never have returned and may have just been a footnote of a few years like Evie or Hope.

[NothinButAttitude]

I still think it is criminal that Hope was not brought back in later years. She should've played a pivotal role on the show when Alan Michael was on there, and should've been restored as Alan's conscious. 

[DRW50]

 

Both Hope and Mike should have returned permanently, or as strong recurring characters. They didn't mostly because GL and P&G were ashamed of its past. 

[NothinButAttitude]

 

So true. It is just criminal how the Bauers were marginalized and basically written off the last 2 1/2 decades of this show. 

[DRW50]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPbBHGPa_Zs

[NothinButAttitude]

Thanks, @DRW50 for posting the clip. Teen Holly (as she said she was 18) sounded like a terror. 

 

Does anyone know if Roger was on the show yet? If so, was Holly interacting with him by then or was she in Ed's orbit?

[DRW50]

I think he was coming in around that point. Not sure if he was there. I'll ask the uploader.