
When a show is on the air as long as Guiding Light has been -- five days a week for 72 years, broadcasting almost 16,000 episodes! -- it becomes an integral part of people's lives. We hear so many stories of families who tuned in together, loyalty to the show being passed down from generation to generation ... the day-to-day dramas of the characters slowly interwoven with their own.
That's how it was for me. My mom and grandma were lifelong fans of the show. My grandma even listened to it on the radio before it started playing on TV. So, every day when 2pm hit, she would say "Let's see what Reva's up to" and turn the channel to Guiding Light. My first memories are of Reva and Kyle, Beth and Phillip, Mindy and Kurt and their beautiful, fairytale wedding. Later, I became fascinated with The Sampson Girl contest and Simon and Jesse's whirlwind romance. Through the years, I've remained a loyal viewer, taping or Tivo-ing the show everyday to check in on the characters I love so much.
How did you start watching the show? What are some of your favorite Guiding Light memories?
We want to hear from you -- join our tribute by sharing your personal stories in the comments below!
Comments (11)
Im very sad to see GL go off the air..Being that people can tape it or watch some of their favorite soaps on SoapNet at night or all weekend..may have hurt the show too..its all about ratings even though GL wasnt on SoapNet..I cant understand it and will not watch anything in its place!!
My heart is broken. How could they take GL away? Sadly, I've watched it as long as I can remember. I remember coming home from school to catch the last half. As an adult it's been my favorite CBS show. They're all like family that I've seen everyday and now I'll never see "Springfield" again. I don't get it. I'm with the other person that questioned why B&B is still on...I lost interest in that show years ago and have either turned the tv off or turned over to DOOL (which I never watched until I had to avoid B&B). B&B is all about SCARY "too much plastic surgery" characters that have actually given me nightmares; not to mention, one person can only have so many Accidental pregnancies. Anyways, has anyone heard a good reason WHY GL is gone?!
I cannot remember not watching Guiding Light. I am very sad to see it leave the airways. Why take off Guiding Light when they could remove The Price Is Right or B&B. Please CBS , bring back Guiding Light.
I have watched Guiding Light for as many years as I xan remember.It saddens me that they have removed such a wonderful thing.I cut my teeth on all of the CBS soaps, I even remember "Search For Tomorrow" and " The Secret Storm'. Plesae bring back "Guiding Light " and take off B & B.
I loved the Ed, Holly, and Roger storyline. Micheal Zaslow rocked as Roger. When Ed asked Holly to go around the world with him, I had to smile.
Reva is a great character I love her with both Josh and Jeffery.
Thanks Guiding Light, the cast and crew for all the great memories.
I will miss Guiding Light immensely. I started watching it in when I was in junior high school. So I remember the whole Phillip, Beth, Mindy and Rick storyline. And when they were constantly running into "Nick" who was obviously St. Nicholas.
It was a really enjoyable storyline.
Other favorites were Tim Werner (his alcoholism) and his mother Audrey; Kelly, Nola and Morgan.
That's how Nola and the Reardon clan (their mom Bea, Tony, Matt, Maureen and Bridget) were first introduced.
Nola wanted Kelly for herself and went through all these elaborate schemes to get him. I also remember how miserably she treated poor Floyd, who was totally in love with HER.
There was also Rita and Ed and Mike Bauer's sister who were nurses at Cedars Hospital.
Gosh! So many memories and memorable characters and now they're gone. I will definitely be bawling my eyes tomorrow when they finally fade to black.
I honestly don't know why a show like The Bold And The Beautiful is even still on the air. I am sick to death of the whole Ridge/Brooke/ANYBODY storyline. They always break up and come back to each other because they were "confused".
And another thing, WHY is everyone on this show always so concerned about what the "children" will think? I do not see any children on this show who could even remotely care about what their parents do. These are adults, people.
Also, when Eric told Marcus (another adult) that he wanted to adopt him, Marcus was so fawning and obsequious, I thought I was going to hurl.
1) You're a grown man; it's a little late for a father figure now, don't you think? Plus... doesn't he ALREADY have adoptive parents? What are their feelings on this?
2) Get a grip and drop the overly grateful to be adopted by your "mentor" routine. For a moment there, I honestly thought he was going to break into a shuck and jive routine.
B&B should have been dropped; not GL. At least their storylines made you care about the characters. There is no one on B&B I care about.
I cannot believe they are actually cancelling GL!!! I think they are moving waay too quickly. I mean look what happened after they cancelled Another World for that flop of a show that didn't even last another 6 mos!!! Take One Life Off!! GL is an icon!! It is the longest running soap & nothing should stand in the way of them continuing to air it!!! It is a piece of history that should not be broken. Take some of these STUPID reality tv shows off!!! Put it on SoapNet. They bought Days - they can buy the longest running daytime drama too!!!!! I feel like a piece of me is dying since I have watched it my entire life. It is like losing a part of your family!!!!!!!
It boggles my mind that they can take this amazing show off the air, it is truely devastating. The only reason I will still watch CBS after Friday is that Jonathan is going to As The World Turns. I have been watching GL for 26 years, and it has been a major part of my life. I truly enjoyed the pics, parts 1, 2 and 3. Brought back some great memories, Tony and Annabelle especially. Reva is wonderful, as well as everyone on the show. What a treat today to see Fletcher Reed visit Alexandra. Bringing Phillip back was perfect, and to have him and Alan get it right was appropriate before he passed. Lujak was another favorite. And Dina rocks. God Bless the Cast of Guiding Light and thank you for years of satisfaction.
I started watching GL in the 1950's with my grandmother. In the '70's I got my mother hooked on the soap when she retired. I feel like there is an impending death coming to the family. Its so sad to see this program go up in smoke when there is such garbage kept on the air. With my family gone now, I feel I am loosing an old friend.
roger thorpe - played by michael zaslow.