I always wondered when this day would come! Thirty years ago, I came into this world and my mother once told me my first words were “Guiding Light.” Okay, not really…but they should have been.
After all, Monday through Friday (barring preemptions of course) for one hour a day, the most consistent and unwavering friend I have ever had in my human lifetime was Guiding Light.
To me, it was much more than a “Soap Opera” or “Daytime Drama” or “Serial” or “Washboard Weeper.” And while some scoffed, and made fun of both me and the unbalanced piece of television history that was always there for me…it never, ever mattered.
As with all friends, it faltered from time to time; and sometimes for long stretches. But what do friends do…they stick by each other, no matter what. And that is why I was so much more than just a fan, I was indeed a friend to this magic, mythical, and bizarre town of Springfield and the wacky and interesting creatures who inhabited it.
On Sept. 18th, I am being forced to say goodbye to that very dear friend. And while I’ve never dreamed of this sorrow, or thought I’d have reason to lament…I now have a bare emptiness in myself that will NEVER, EVER be replaced.
But, I refuse to feel tragic! After all, this show, the longest running in Television Broadcast history, meant so much to so many different people. From those who tuned in from time to time, worked backstage, in front of the camera’s, or even emptied the trash in one of the various studio’s...you all in some small way, made Guiding Light survive for 72 years. Even with cards stacked against you, you prevailed and continued to let the light shine!
So after all the tears, all the joy, all the life you have given me…I know, grand dame, that you mattered and will always matter in my heart, and in so many others that you have touched for such a long time.
After September 18th, the entire world will only see your inimitable afterglow, but it will still shine through all of the days we’ve yet to fill.
You, Guiding Light, have been the best teacher and true friend anyone could ask for. And while it has been so very hard to even find the words to say good-bye, there is one song more than any other that seems so very fitting for your farewell. So I leave you with that, and will forever be indebted to your radiant beams!
Farewell, My Friend!
Rows and floes of angel hair And ice cream castles in the air And feather canyons everywhere Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun They rain and snow on everyone So many things I would have done But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now From up and down, and still somehow Its cloud illusions I recall I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels The dizzy dancing way you feel As every fairy tale comes real Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show You leave em laughing when you go And if you care, dont let them know Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now From give and take, and still somehow Its loves illusions I recall I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud To say I love you right out loud Dreams and schemes and circus crowds Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange They shake their heads, they say Ive changed Well somethings lost, but somethings gained In living evry day
Ive looked at life from both sides now From win and lose and still somehow Its lifes illusions I recall I really dont know life at all
Ive looked at life from both sides now From up and down, and still somehow Its lifes illusions I recall I really dont know life at all
Posts: 1337 | Location: New York | Registered: April 29, 2003
GLFan, you've inspired me to write my Guiding Light eulogy as well. Thank you.
I started watching GL in the 1980's. My oldest sister watched it and I started one day, probably in my boredom, and I've been watching it ever since.
GL has been such an inspiration to me. So much so that no other soap got my attention like GL did. I attempted to watch others, but interest soon died out quickly and it was alway GL that remained on my daily schedule. I remember when I was in high school and was interested in acting. I took acting notes from the GL actors because the cast of GL always seemed to have the reputation for being one of the best ensemble casts in daytime. In 1994, GL had a record number of 11 acting nominations for the Daytime Emmys. Eleven acting nomination. I knew I was studying the right daytime drama and its talent.
GL always seemed to tell a story differently than the other shows. I laughed and cried and related to some of the characters. It was indeed like sitting around with a friend and enjoying their company...And now that friend has moved on. But, it's not like it has died to me. I mean, with youtube and hulu, I can always tune into GL. However, the storylines will no longer live on. I was so hoping for someone to pick up GL, but it really didn't make sense that it would happen. I mean, who would pick up a show that was being cancelled due to low ratings? I suppose it could have happened, but, unfortunately, it did not.
GL is the grand dame of daytime because it's the longest running show in broadcast history. It lived longer than any other kind of broadcast. That is an awesome feat. I would have kept it on the air simply becasue it is indeed a landmark in my book. As this final week comes to an end, I find myself at peace with GL's exit. There's nothing I can do about it, although, I (and many others) have tried. I doubt any other soap will get my attention. If it does, it will likely be becasue a former GL actor is on it.
I raise my glass to GL. A show that touched the heart and soul of its viewers. A show that, to me, stood out from all of the others. Your longevity may never be matched and it is your longevity that says a lot about you and your fans. I think you have been treated unfairly with your time slot and other things that we may find out later, but you stood tall and shined your light for all of us who noticed it. Other shows may soon find themselves where you are today, but you will forever be the show that remains my personal favorite for so many reasons. Even while I tuned into other shows, you outshined them all and wound up being the only show I watched in the end. You will be remembered in years to come.
"There is a destiny that makes us brothers. None goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own."
GL and its characters have been like family. We walked the path together. That's what you do when you love someone. You're there from beginning to end. You don't give up and quit watching because of bad times. You stay until the end. Thank you for what you've given me. It may sound funny to some, but watching a show can add positively to your life, if you really listen to what's being said. Guiding Light was definitely that, a guiding light. You are already missed.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: leecappella,
I, too, wanted to say goodbye to the only show on daytime that has held my interest for over 27 years. As a child and young adult I would watch the entire CBS schedule with my mom. Out of all those shows, Guiding Light was and still is my all-time favorite. It had a relatability that no other show on daytime had. I always looked forward to the hour as a way of escaping whatever was going on in my life at that time.
I remember the Laurel Falls Gang and Lujack and Beth and Reva and India and Alex...all of these characters and the great actors inhabiting them were truly captivating. There are too many to mention but you know who you are.....The storytelling and acting were top-notch and a standout in daytime TV. I always wanted to live in Springfield....thats how appealing it was to this viewer!
While I have remained steadfast and loyal to GL I realize it has had its ups and downs.... It always seemed to go thru drastic headwriter and exec prodocer changes but managed to weather the storm. It is sad that the "light" is fading but I cannot be too sad about it...For Guiding Light will leave an indelible impression in the annals of daytime TV and broadcasting in general. Its longevity will remain for a long, long time and 72 years is a remarkable achievement. It is doubtful any other show currently running will ever match such a feat...
I, as well, raise my glass to the grand dame of daytime and thank you for all that you have given me over the years. It has been a remarkable ride and I have enjoyed it immensely.
My final thoughts too--I watched the show faithfully from 1979 until 1995, when Megan McTavish finally killed it for me. I probably didn't miss twenty episodes in that period of time--I do remember missing a week in the summer of 1984 when I got to go on a school trip to Europe. That was the week when Darcy held Cedars Hospital hostage, and I remember actually being angry about missing that to be in stupid France! Ah, kids are so foolish.
I remember that when I entered junior high in the fall of '84, I saved up money to buy a nasty Beta format VCR specifically to record the show since the school day was longer and I was getting into soccer and other after-school stuff.
Mostly I remember "GL" because of the bond it created for me with one of the most special people in my life. My parents hired a part-time housekeeper and nanny when my mom went back to work a few years after I was born. She was addicted to all the CBS "stories" and got me hooked on "GL" because that was coming on when I got home from school. This was during the Lucille Wexler murder trial in 1979. I'm not sure how appropriate my parents thought it was for an 8-year-old, but eventually even they became hooked an certain storylines and asked for updates. Anyway, our housekeeper stayed with the family until she retired in 1993. She died ten years ago this summer and I've been thinking a lot about her lately with all the "GL" hype. I've been DVRing the show this week [how far we've come since the Beta VCR!] and, while it looks cheap and unrehearsed at times, it's been a treat to see these old favorites again and reminisce. I've particularly noticed how phenomenally classy and talented Tina Sloan and Maeve Kinkead remain. And for all the show's current faults, at least in this final week, it's been all about family. That's the base the show was built on, so it's fitting that celebrating those family ties would be its farewell.
My favorite memories:
--Nola's movie fantasies --Carrie Marler's multiple personality disorder --All those wonderful scenes between Alexandra and India [where is Mary Kay Adams, by the way?] --The senior prom --The Civil War ball --The Sonni/Solita story. I still have that climactic episode on the swinging bridge on tape. --Reva & Josh's wedding [the one at Cross Creek with the canoe; I don't even know how many times they've been married and divorced since I stopped watching] --The blackout in Springfield --And one of the most haunting scenes in TV history, let alone daytime: Josh having to tell Marah about Reva's death. Done all as one long-distance shot as he walks down the pier in Florida and we see him reach out to her and talk to her in silhouette. She pulls away and cries, then runs back to hug him. I'm not much of a crier, but I remember bawling my way through that.
So long, Bud.
Hemingway once told a friend he was considering giving up writing. "But Ernest," the friend protested. "You love writing!" "No," corrected Hemingway. "I love having written."
Posts: 1315 | Location: Chapel Hill, NC | Registered: April 12, 2005
Man: When we are soul-to-soul Lost in each other Baby don't worry It's gonna be all right Hold on to love 'Cause love is all we have And love will find a way To see us through the night
Woman: And when we're far apart Torn from each other Keep thinking of me You know we must be strong Hold on to love Cause love is all that we need And love will find a way If we just hold on
Both: And I know somehow Some way Our day will come Never give in to the darkness 'Til the dawn Hold on
Woman: And if we lose our way We'll find each other I reach out and touch you And all my fear is gone Hold on to love 'Cause love is all that we need And love will find a way If we just hold on
RIP- The Guiding Light (January 25, 1937 to September 18, 2009)
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Posts: 9729 | Location: Television Land | Registered: April 02, 2003
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