I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the fans just never noticed. Emmerdale, the UK soap I used to watch, dropped "Farm" in the late 80's but a lot of older fans still call it Emmerdale Farm.

James Lipton isn't much of an actor either, if the few GL episodes of that era I've seen are any indication, but he did have a sincerity and boy next door appeal which made it obvious why he was so popular. I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't left GL, if he would have lasted a long time, or if he was probably being phased out anyway.

Interesting a few months after the '77 article was written the word "The" was dropped from the show's official title, but even now and through out the last decade my grandma will still refer to it as "The Guiding Light". Was there any negative reaction to the show dropping the word "The" from the official title?

Actually, the "The" had already been dropped by 1977. One of the TV reference books incorrectly states that the title changed with the first hour long episode. GL changed the lighthouse logo to the sunlight through the trees opening in November 1975. "The" was officially dropped from its title then. No, I do not think there was any significant reaction to it. Although the graphics were Guiding Light, announcer Allan Berns continued to say "The Guiding Light" for the next six years.

I read that in the reference book as well about when the title was changed. As I haven't seen much of anything from the mid-70s there is no way to have known different.

So basically until about 1981 or so at the end they were calling it TGL? That is confusing...

From an August 1992 update, a rare interview with the superb Maureen Garrett.

Also from this issue.

MG was right about the lack of focus on the subject of homosexuality -- especially where GL was concerned. I'm trying to think a gay-themed storyline besides Otalia and...I can't.

Well, Claire Labine was going to try a "Children's Hour" story...beyond that, the closest is probably Lucy's HIV-positive friend, who appeared during part of 95-96. I can't remember if they said he was gay or if it was implied.

There was also that strange, presumably unintentional period from 2000-2003 where I thought most of the younger male characters were a few drinks away from an orgy.

Edited August 28, 201114 yr by CarlD2

Anyone know when this is from in 1986?

I always enjoy watching the Fletcher/Reva friendship. It's too bad it was forgotten later on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF87QaKRkIc

Huh. Never would have known they were friends!

Fletcher was like the male Reva in a way as he was with many women over the years with Maureen, Claire, Alex, Maeve, Vanessa, Holly etc.

This article below is from February 1996 Soap Opera Update. The answer of course was not very long before Josh Taylor took over the role briefly:

Edited September 1, 201114 yr by soapfan770

It's a shame that his return to GL got killed just as it was really starting to pick up steam.

From a November 1981 Digest.

A rather sad and bleak ad for Christmas isn't it?

I've heard Reva's rebirth was quite good and compelling to watch but the Cain part of the story was a complete farce. I'm more interested in Reva's 2nd suicide attempt where she runs into traffic from her running from her wedding to Kyle and was saved by Josh but thought it was a dream as Josh was no where to be found afterward.

Edited September 7, 201114 yr by soapfan770

I don't think that second scene was a suicide attempt. She was disoriented and wandering around without thinking.

I'd like to see what Long's vision of the Cain story would have been, although honestly I think it was just such huge burnout for the Reva character, too much in too few years.

Edited September 7, 201114 yr by CarlD2

This is one of the most beautiful location shoots I can remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te-9cnXCDak&feature=related