GL now joins some illustrious company in the cancelled soap thread.

Let's share memories and ask questions here.

Just now, kalbir said:

I loved the Robert Calhoun era. GL was finally hitting its stride after some pretty bad years.

I loved his ATWT too. He got what makes a good soap, that's for sure.

2 hours ago, kalbir said:

I loved the Robert Calhoun era. GL was finally hitting its stride after some pretty bad years.

I have only seen a few episodes from the 70s to 88.  I just know that 1990 is my fav out of the 89-98 that I have seen.  

In the end, GL's writing got so bad that they couldn't even write interesting stories for Roger nor Holly in 94 and 95 and I don't even want to think about 1996. I don't even want to think what it would have been like for the rest of 1997 and 1998 for Michael Zaslow. 

In the end, how things happened was for the best.  Even for the actress who played Chelsea ended up with a better role and met her husband on One Life To Life.

 

Edited July 27Jul 27 by MLH

15 hours ago, alwaysAMC said:

Haha I know... well, this is a good time to ask now that the Blake Marler YT channel is down. Where could I find all the episodes from that year?  The Vault I'm using right now only has a handful of episodes per month that year  Even 90-92 is pretty scarce. 

It's not the best but try the German dubbed Springfield Story on YouTube (you have to physically change it to English closed captioning though).  It basically has every episode.  Just beware about the translation that can be downright crude.

My favorite Blake (who is still not my fav character) Sherry Stringfield, shows up in July 1989.

Shows spoilers for Blake's storyline in 1989 (Sherry Stringfield). Great writing and acting.

https://rumble.com/v56yvoj-guiding-light-best-of-1989.html

 

If I were to pick my favorite character it would be a tie between little Marah and Roger.  LOL

My fav 'couple' are little Marah and Harley. 

Look for Y&R/B&B/GL Vault Updates on this site.

Sorry for the double post!

Edited July 27Jul 27 by MLH
corrections

Don't know if this episode has been posted; however, does anyone know the original airdate of this? Is this nearing the time that Lucille Wexler is murdered? 

finally!

finally, cbs sunday morning recognized an actor from a p&g soap in ‘passages.’ 

of course, had eileen fulton passed away in a week not dominated by so many notable deaths, she might have rated a short clip noting her 50 years on ‘world turns. but given the show’s shameful neglect of other ‘world turns and guiding light  actors — no mention of kathryn hays, elizabeth hubbard, lisa brown or jerry ver dorn — this is something, albeit, long overdue.  

45 minutes ago, NothinButAttitude said:

Don't know if this episode has been posted; however, does anyone know the original airdate of this? Is this nearing the time that Lucille Wexler is murdered? 

I can't date it, but it has to be the fall of 1980. Lucille died in November, I believe. Jennifer went on trial in January 1981. 

AHA...A Perfect Match first aired October 5th, 1980. This would've aired the week preceeding that.

Edited July 27Jul 27 by P.J.

1 hour ago, NothinButAttitude said:

Don't know if this episode has been posted; however, does anyone know the original airdate of this? Is this nearing the time that Lucille Wexler is murdered? 

I tried Springfield Story YouTube and there are only 50 something episodes.  I Googled and it stated that the last time Ben was shown was October 1981, but I don't know how accurate that is.

2 minutes ago, MLH said:

I tried Springfield Story YouTube and there are only 50 something episodes.  I Googled and it stated that the last time Ben was shown was October 1981, but I don't know how accurate that is.

Are you speaking of Ben Reade? And, yes, Google is no more reliable than IMDb or wikipedia. Ben Reade was on a lot past the 80s. Matt Bomer played the last version of him. It was a disaster, of course. I think it may have been during ConWest. Ben used to be basically a nice guy but then he did this despicable thing where he had a bet with some guys about deflowering a virgin. Later, he got mixed up with this awful woman. She turned him into a sex worker. Eventually all of this debauchery got to him & he committed suicide. WHAT a waste! 

Nice guy Ben Reade, now dead.

 

22 hours ago, kalbir said:

You're two episodes away from Michael Zaslow last episode. After you watch, please share your thoughts on it. Thank you.

Ugh I saw his final episode - April 23. The whole situation is so sad. At least his last scene was with Holly, and as he walked out the door, you could almost tell Holly was emotional in her face as she gave a half smile/sad eyes gaze as he left.

Then May 1, Roger is back as the new actor Dennis Parlato in a scene with Blake. He reminds me of an 80/90s AMC Adam Chandler (David Canary) on appearance/stature haha.

With this big Spaulding party that Amanda/Roger are hosting and everyone is getting ready for... I wonder if they just didn't think Zaslow was up to it? When they announced the new actor, they said "Today, the role..." - so remind me, was it open for Zas to come back potentially, or did they make the decision permanently from the beginning?

3 minutes ago, alwaysAMC said:

When they announced the new actor, they said "Today, the role..." - so remind me, was it open for Zas to come back potentially, or did they make the decision permanently from the beginning?

I wasn't watching GL in real time during MZ illness/departure, but from what I remember, the soap press reported medical leave but then it was later revealed that it was a firing. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Edited July 27Jul 27 by kalbir

Yeah, mid-1989 is the timeframe to start watching "modern era" GL.  Early 1989 isn't all that great; yes, it's better but what isn't better than 1988?

Guiding Light really steps on the gas in March/April 1990.  As I've said earlier, you can see and feel the transformation.  Some WTF(!) moments, like the one MLH mentioned with Roger's admission to Alex that he raped Holly.  The show was suddenly more intricate, with tentacles increasingly spreading in multiple directions, pulling in more and more characters.

The rest of 1990 through mid 1992 are definitely worth watching; mid 1992 through mid 1993 is considerably above average.  Mid 1993 through April 1994 is good, too, but cracks are appearing.  Curlee's last storyline was the Peter custody battle in early 1994.

Reva's only good storyline ever was her post-partum story during the first half of 1990.  "Reva" was subdued(!) and acting all weird during that time frame.  She did her kamikaze act into the ocean off the Florida Keys in July 1990.  I was ecstatic!!  

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, kalbir said:

I wasn't watching GL in real time during MZ illness/departure, but from what I remember, the soap press reported medical leave but then it was later revealed that it was a firing. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I just got to the end credits of the new actor's first episode (May 1) and he's listed as a contract player. I don't know if we should think that means he was planned to be there a long time or they just didn't want to leave "Roger Thorpe" out of the credits.  

@Speed Racer That's the time frame I watched in real time and online, and your observations are totally spot on.

 

 

 

29 minutes ago, Contessa Donatella said:

Are you speaking of Ben Reade? And, yes, Google is no more reliable than IMDb or wikipedia. Ben Reade was on a lot past the 80s. Matt Bomer played the last version of him. It was a disaster, of course. I think it may have been during ConWest. Ben used to be basically a nice guy but then he did this despicable thing where he had a bet with some guys about deflowering a virgin. Later, he got mixed up with this awful woman. She turned him into a sex worker. Eventually all of this debauchery got to him & he committed suicide. WHAT a waste! 

Nice guy Ben Reade, now dead.

 

No, this is Ben McFerren, played by Stephen Yates. He dated Hope, was married to Eve Stapleton and Amanda Wexler Spaulding and Amanda miscarries their baby at Jennifer's trial. He leaves in '81, and Eve leaves in '83 to resume their relationship.

32 minutes ago, Speed Racer said:

Reva's only good storyline ever was her post-partum story during the first half of 1990.  "Reva" was subdued(!) and acting all weird during that time frame.  She did her kamikaze act into the ocean off the Florida Keys in July 1990.  I was ecstatic!!  

Even though it has plot holes big enough to drive a semi through, the reveal that Dylan is her and Billy's son is good too. Even though I hate the way they act as if Billy had never "gotten over" Reva. 

They really did a good job of integrating Roger back on the canvas. He really did step into OGAlan's shoes circa 1980. Back when Alan was truly a force to be reckoned with.

Edited July 27Jul 27 by P.J.