Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[Vee]

I do think Dennehy's Blake was very reminiscent of Glenn in Fatal Attraction from what I've seen, in terms of sleek style, mood, etc. She could be imperious, cold, very tough yet complex. I prefer SS but I found both far more interesting and formidable than Liz Keifer.

[Khan]

Dennehy was clearly cast as Blake before they had it in mind to reveal her as Christina.

[Sapounopera]

I always thought that Dennehy's Blake was Beth Raines.

 

Any suggestions for a Blake recast instead of Keifer?

[Faulkner]

Robin Christopher would have been a far better Blake than she was a Lorna, but even she wouldn’t have been quite right. I loved Sherry Stringfield.

[Mitch]

Didn't Long have it in the back of her mind that she was Chrissy, but did not reveal that yet, and then the producer cast Dennehy during the writer's strike? I remember ED saying that the headwriter hated her and she couldn't figure out why.  I always kind of felt sorry for her.

 

All this talk of Blake reminds me of another lost opportunity in casting with Lizzie. Lizzie should have been very, very complex and they first made her a silly valley girl, then a psycho, then back to a valley girl with the second recasting.  Marci Ryan was cute as hell and it wanst her fault, she was just miscast (maybe Mindy and Rick's love child yes, she was way too bright and sunny to be a Spaulding.)

[Forever8]

Let's not forget when they had Daisy younger than Lizzie. SMH! 

[antmunoz]

Alison Hirschlag was the first teen Lizzie and she was VERY good, not silly at all, even though her curly hair often had me thinking that visually she should’ve been Tammy.  That mane was identical to Cassie’s. 
 

Unfortunately, she chose to leave after a short term and Lizzie went back to boarding school, to return as suicidal firestarter Crystal Hunt. 

[Gray Bunny]

 

Agreed. I loved Alison Hirschlag's portrayal, as well as how they wrote the role at the time. It was a complete 180 when Crystal Hunt took over and became a vapid jealous brat. 

[Khan]

At the time, I thought Crystal Hunt had that "old school soap" look about her -- like, if it still had been the 1960's, I'm certain she would've been on LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING or WHERE THE HEART IS.  It's just too bad her acting skills weren't as classic (in a good way) as her face and hair.

[Soaplovers]

Marcy Rylan and 1983 era Krista T were so alike in mannerisms, vocal tones, etc... it was eerie.  

[rlj]

Phyllis was more of a Vixen you rooted for/anti heroine upon her return (like  Lisa, Rachel, Erica, Nola, both Carlys, Vicki, Sami, etc.), its a common soap trope, she was never written as a heroine, or canonized as a Saint like Beth or Reva lol. For me, the problem with Reva, is she ate up the whole show to the detriment of other female characters, especially in the late 80s

[DramatistDreamer]

Gorgeous.

 

[Faulkner]

I met her when she was doing junkets for the Alfie remake. She was luminous.

[VanessaReardon]

Ah, Nia Long. Just a nice, nice person. Love her! 

[DRW50]

I was a big fan of Kat back then. I loved her friendship with Bridget. I was so disappointed in her exit story. Looking back I guess I should be grateful as many had much worse - if they had exits at all. I think she may have been the last black cast member to have one...