Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[Mona Kane Croft]

That would have been an interesting interview.  Mary seemed to have opinions about that issue around that time. 

[vetsoapfan]

I'd say 1984-1988 were the nadir years of the 1980s. (Everything after 1993 sucked big time, too, IMHO. I was furious how poorly-handled and empty the tribute was.

Meta Bauer's murder trial should have been included among the headlines.

[Reverend Ruthledge]

I thought so too originally until I realized that it was the headlines from the Springfield Journal and the show began being set in Springfield in the late 60s. The headlines were being flashed (too quickly) in chronological order so it makes sense that Peggy's murder trial was the first big headline related to the show in Springfield. Meta's trial would have been in the Los Angeles papers. 

[Mitch64]

I think a lot of that was due to Ehlers "energy" as Zimmer called it in her book.  Either just the vibe she was giving or the writers taking cues from her life (maybe some maliciously) but the actress is well known for sabotaging her own life with the various relationships and attitude at work. 

[NothinButAttitude]

Hence why I don't know why they simply didn't recast Harley the final years. Once BE checked out when RPG left, they should've recast. There are a plethora of actresses that could've filled the role that springs to mind. 

Edited December 16, 2024 by NothinButAttitude

[vetsoapfan]

Oh, Duh! Of course! I completely zoned out about the change of locals, and was only thinking about the major events in TGL's overall history, which would have garnered attention in the newspapers. In this instance, it would make sense that the news stories would be restricted to Springfield residents. Thanks for the correction. 

[TEdgeofNight]

Going back to '86, didn't they originally call Ed & Claire's daughter 'Bert Bauer Ramsey' or BB for short? it was then changed to Michelle. I remember thinking how stupid BB was as a name. 

[DRW50]

I don't think there was much use for Harley without Beth. If the show had gone on longer, I might have recast her.

[NothinButAttitude]

Yes. If the show had went on, Harley would've been recast. She was desperately needed when Phillip returned. 

"The role of Harley Davidson is now being played by Sarah Brown, Noelle Beck (before she took on Lily), Megan Ward, or Cady McClain..." would've been echoed across TV screens. 

[DRW50]

Knowing how things were going with P&G in those last years, probably Natalia Livingston.

[Reverend Ruthledge]

Close. She was called Berta Bauer Ramsey and "BB" for short. It ALL was stupid as Berta wasn't Bert's name. It was Bertha. This didn't last long. I think within a few short months they changed her name to Michelle. Even the writers realized how stupid they were being. 

[NothinButAttitude]

Dear God no. 

However, I wouldn't've minded if she were cast as Michelle. 

[DRW50]

She might have been OK (although Beth Ann Bonner, who was cast, was a better choice). I might have cast her as a daughter of Amanda Spaulding.

[NothinButAttitude]

I forgot Beth Ann was supposed to be on GL before it went belly up. She might've reestablished the spunk that was lost in Michelle once JBL left the role. 

But I would've wanted her in a more b*tchy role as she played such a sap on OLTL. I would've liked for her to have been Dorrie, which would've opened the door for India to return. 

[kalbir]

GL was fortunate to avoid cancel territory in the 1980s, and that was mainly due to Capitol not showing growth and B&B not being a hit right away.

Despite GL becoming CBS's lowest-rated daytime drama in 1989, it didn't enter cancel territory until 1995.

We know from the 1980s Ratings thread that GL lost CBS's highest-rated daytime drama to Y&R in 1983, then As the World Turns moved past GL in 1986, and B&B moved past GL in 1989. 

Was there a point from 1986-1989 that you thought cancellation might have been on the way?