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Guiding Light Discussion Thread

Paul Raven

By Paul Raven
in DTS: Cancelled Soaps

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SoapDope Proficient

SoapDope

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I never really watched AMC that much, but have in recent years started going back at looking at it. MEK is one of those actors that was always being buzzed about in the soap press back in the day and I thought he may have worked as a stronger Rick. 

I don't really see Susan in any part.....LOL. Bless her though. She became a household name  playing Erica. I remember a woman telling me years ago that she refused to watch one minute of her and said she finally got a " Pity Emmy"

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DRW50 Grand Master

DRW50

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I can see why people would feel that way. Her work was genuinely good and she finally chose a good reel for herself, but the optics weren't great.

Sorry, I know this is way off topic now so I'll stop.

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Contessa Donatella Grand Master

Contessa Donatella

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OMG, the AMC writing team, every single year devoted one story to an Emmy reel for her. If you're saying what I think you're saying, you think 18 of them were flops & only one was a keeper. And, indeed, what the heck am I doing talking about All My Children here in Springfield?! I'll stop, too. 

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P.J. Mentor

P.J.

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I don't think the problem with Blake was Liz Keifer. Admittedly, she wasn't Sherri Stringfield, but those come few and far between. (We're not talking about a drop off similar to Melina Kanakaredes and Jennifer Rozelle, IMO) GL stopped writing rounded characters. Roger departed, so she wasn't daddy's little girl, she wasn't working (that I recall, other than the stupid romance writer) and she suddenly had three kids. 

And they completely lost interest in her after Ross's death. Didn't she spend a year in a coma? 

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chrisml Proficient

chrisml

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I agree that the writing did not do Liz Keifer any favors. I actually like Dennehy over Keifer's Blake. IT was a huge mistake to recast her at such a crucial part of the Ross/Blake/Maureen story. It ruined most if not all of the momentum. I understand it's a nightmare if people want to leave, but most of the problems were ones JFP created. 

re: Susan Lucci. If I remembering correctly, didn't her husband pick her reels? Her reels were often so terrible with a lovesick Erica acting as if she were a teenager. She has a few good reels leading up to her win (the drug storyline/the kidnapping of the baby). I really wish Erica has been written as an adult (wasn't Erica becoming a showgirl when Lucci was in her sixties?!?!)

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GL Oldtimer Explorer

GL Oldtimer

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The summer of 1992 was a tough year for Guiding Light with so many incredible actresses leaving the show. For me, the one that hit the hardest was Beverlee McKinsey. What a powerhouse. She was very much missed!

I agree that the Ross/Blake/Roger/Holly storyline lost a bit of steam when Sherry Stringfield left. I also think the character of Blake changed a lot once Stringfield left. However, I think Jerry verDorn and Elizabeth Keifer shared a nice chemistry together. Also, I loved the mother/daughter chemistry between Maureen Garrett and Keifer. I thought it worked very nicely, especially once the two characters patched their relationship up. 

Recasts are tough. I certainly can't imagine the challenge an actor must face when coming into a role that the audience identifies with another actor. I think recast parts almost always seem to also change the character too. I guess that's to be expected as the new actor puts his or her spin on things.

Annette

 

 

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P.J. Mentor

P.J.

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I actually thought the timing for recasting Blake worked. Both as a soft reset for the character and a fitting end for Stringfield. Sherri deserved to play that climax after all her hard work. And honestly, I'm not sure I could've ever believed her falling in love with Ross knowing she set it up to hurt Holly.

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chrisml Proficient

chrisml

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I like Liz Keifer as an actress, but I don't think she was right for Blake. There was a through line between Dennehy and Stringfield, but Keifer felt like a completely different character. Blake lost so much verve.  It reminded me of Barbara Crampton taking over as Mindy. She's a fantastic actress, but she was not right for Mindy. 

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