Guiding Light discussion thread

[Contessa Donatella]

Thanks. Feels familiar as an AW fan. 

[Contessa Donatella]

Just FYI/FWIW what I have in a channel I call "vintage". 

ATWT & GL from 1952 through 1979, 77 episodes. (ATWT 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1972, 1978, 1979. GL 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1960, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1979.)

Specifically

TGL 1953 - 4

GL 1952 - 1

GL 1953 - 4

GL 1954 - 1

I can't find where I noted how many of them begin with the voiceover "This is the Guiding Light, created by Irna Phillips." I would guess 2 dozen. 

 

[DRW50]

They all but abandoned most of the longstanding characters and families, instead focusing on a lot of stunts, location shooting, new characters who only lasted a few years, and histrionics.

[Contessa Donatella]

Thank you. That sounds awful. P&G really knew how to take something that wasn't broken & in an attempt to make things better, screwed it all up, to h*ll & back. 

[P.J.]

You'll rarely get an agreement on what the "glory days" are. I admit, I get hung up on it too, but everyone likes what they like, and there are good and bad aspects of it. 

I know we all come off as negative about aspects of the show, but we wouldn't be discussing it if we thought it was "garbage".

And I don't think GL would've had Olivia/Natalia if ATWT/Nuke hadn't been generating publicity for that story. There was nothing wrong with trying to engage the LGBTQ+ community---but how about doing that with good and honest storytelling, not suddenly switching up one of the biggest ho's in Springfield, literally because they slept through all the families in town? Not to mention making the other character---interesting instead of some near virginal sad-sack?

[DRW50]

The way I see it is GL put its fans through a lot, more than a number of other soaps. Many fans remained loyal to the end and even past the end (those cruises and farewell tours), but we're still going to complain. I will never stop missing ATWT and GL, but I'm also never going to stop complaining about them. That's what it means to be family.

[Contessa Donatella]

You might as well ask what if Paul Rauch had said yes when Claire Labine pitched a romantic story between Olivia and Holly. Then, at least they'd have had adequate time to tell the dagblasted story. Otalia, largely because they had to accommodate a real life pregnancy, desperately needed about 10 more months.

And, explanations about 2 adult women known to previously been exclusive to men, I have already addressed these things. Please refer to my other posts.

But, I will say this. The idea for Otalia came DIRECTLY FROM the brain of Ellen Wheeler who as you might know is a practicing Mormon. If you can figure out what her reasons were, you're a better fan than am I. Because her reasons elude me. Always have. Unlikely to change. 

And, as always, lovely to talk.

 

 

 

[P.J.]

Right? I admit, the last five years in particular were hard to sit through because so many of the characters I loved were either gone or almost unrecognizable (God in Heaven...Harley...) but I am forever grateful that I can revisit (and pick and choose) Springfield when I want. 

I mean, people criticize Marland's ATWT, FCOL. Ain't nothing ever gonna please everyone. What this last year has taught me though, is that the Curlee/Demorest/Reilly era deserves (and deserved) more respect. And Curlee (arguably) deserves to be talked about as a top-tier scribe.

[Contessa Donatella]

Soap fans who complain?!! What is this world coming to? Next you'll tell me there's to be a new soap, but it will be about rich really rich ... I can't do it. 

Seriously, complaining is just a part of talking about our shows. But when complaints outweigh other talk by a large margin, to me, that is when you know there's a problem. Negativity can be contagious. And, being mean also contagious.

 

Nor should that be a goal. 

I didn't know this was a surprise. I thought all y'all already knew.

[P.J.]

Frankly, in a lot of ways, I had emotionally divorced myself from Guiding Light. I had my fond memories, but honestly, really hadn't rewatched more than the odd clip here and there (usually Nola and Vanessa's catfight, which I honestly still find flippin' hilarious.)

I've always considered myself more of an ATWT fan. Before this last year, I doubt I could've come up with any HWs names other than Marland and Long. And of course, Irna.

[Contessa Donatella]

Just for kicks, my favorite soap writers: Lemay, Labine, Curlee, Swajeski, Hurst, Mulcahey, the Dobsons, Marland, Val Jean, CCulliton, Falken Smith, Bell, Nixon & Phillips. That's 15. I like writers. So sue me.

Living but either retired or thought to be retired: Nancy Curlee, Donna Swajeski, Jill Lorie Hurst, Jerome Dobson. Carolyn Culliton, Patrick Mulcahey.

Michele Val Jean as we know has the newest of new gigs possible! #BTG #BeyondtheGates Headwriter & Show Creator & EP & ShowRunner!

As a fan of hers how lucky do I feel today?!!

Doubling back, for example? I mean in your mind, who? what? where? If this is something you believe to be true, then, spill it. Here's your chance.