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Guiding Light

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CBS (ended 2009)

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Sherasbear

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Episode Guide

S 71 : Ep 15515	Sep 24, 2008	Aired 1/25/37
S 71 : Ep 15514	Sep 23, 2008	Aired 1/25/37
S 71 : Ep 15513	Sep 22, 2008	Aired 1/25/37
S 71 : Ep 15512	Sep 19, 2008	Aired 1/25/37
S 71 : Ep 15511	Sep 18, 2008	Aired 1/25/37

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Show Summary

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The late soap journalist Christopher Schemering once wrote that soap operas are not just dramas; "they're little pockets of American history." So it's only fitting to consider that at one time, "The Guiding Light,"-the longest running program in broadcast history, spanning 71 years-- brought fifteen-minute bits of escapism to war-weary housewives, as their men trudged off to fight the indignities of WWII. It brought social awareness to a nation that began to think about the big picture beyond their picket fences and suburban streets. Soap opera is a truly dynamic genre that reflects life as it is lived, the quintessential American art form. Although berated and belittled, the soap opera has an illustrious lineage, with no less than the books of Charles Dickins as an inspiration. Created by the legendary, if not iron-fisted Irna Phillips, "The Guiding Light" began its life on January 25, 1937. Originally, the show focused on the Chicagoan suburb of Five Points, a bustling enclave of German-Jewish immigrants hoping to find their own piece of the American dream. Giving them the hope and inspiration they needed was a kindly minister named Reverend John Ruthledge (voiced by Arthur Peterson of "Soap" fame). The Reverend's sermons of hope and forgiveness made such an impression that a bestselling book was published of his most popular homilies. The Reverend's message could be summed up by his favorite mantra from Edwin Markum "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." On the desk near his window, the minister placed an old lantern, a "guiding light" to those parishioners passing in the cold, hopeless night. In the 1940's the Reverend Ruthledge enrolled as a chaplain to do his part of the war effort. However, when the production of the show moved to the west coast, Peterson refused to join them, so Irna Phillips had the minister die when his plane was shot down overseas. His "friendship lamp" went too with the production move to the town of Selby Flats, California. Reverend Matthews took over for the late Rev. Ruthledge as the center of hope and inspiration. However, by the time that the show was slated to move to television, the religious undertones of the show were virtually gone and the focus was moved yet again to the family Bauer. * Guiding Light was cancelled on April 1, 2009 and the last episode aired on September 18, 2009.moreless

Cast & Crew

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Jeff Branson	Joshua Shayne Lewis #3 (12/1/08 - Present)
John Gibson (I)	Henry Benedict (#1) (03/1958-04/1960)
Michael Dempsey	Alan-Michael Spaulding (#4) (2005-2007)
Lynne Adams	Leslie Jackson Bauer (#1) (04/1966-04/1971; 07/1973-06/1976)
Mary Kay Adams	India von Halkein (08/01/84-04/1987; 08/01/90-12/31/90; 11/23/99-08/25/99
Nancy St. Alban	Michelle Bauer (#4) (10/27/00-11/22/05)

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Fan Reviews (70)

Are they available anywhere?

9.5

By matrixmary, Dec 31, 2012

recently put the first 25 episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful on their website and I am enjoying it VERY much. It makes me wonder if there is anywhere that makes the rest of the series available? Also I would love to see The Guiding Light, As the World Turns, and the original episodes of The Young and the Restless. If the networks had any smarts, now that they have cancelled nearly all the soaps they should release all of them on DVD. I think for those of us that grew up with them, they could make a killing! I would certainly be willing to buy them! As far as I know, Dark Shadows is doing well on DVD so why not some of the "normal" soaps?moreless
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BRING THEM BACK!!!!

10

By JuneBishop, Sep 18, 2012

I have been watching these shows since I was born please bring them back. Not everything must be real. I miss the whole cast. I grew up watching these shows with my grandmother and my mother. Now they are all gone. I always felt like they were a part of my family and I could not wait to see them again.
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bring them back on......

10

By KristinaMcCoy, Aug 01, 2012

we miss them so much and they need to be brought back on,if you were a kid and you watched shows growing up you wouldn't want them to leave either so how about it,do the right thing cbs and bring the soaps back.....the realality shows aren't working for alot us and you may want ot think so but we really want to leave things way they were.....your well missed just ask your fans?moreless
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Normally I would go, "TURN OFF THAT LIGHT!" but...

7.0

By MadameCat, Feb 11, 2011

...there's something about this light that's...special. It isn't a crappy teenage drama, it isn't a boring teen show like SWAC, it's been on for many graceful years, and it excited me when I saw bits and pieces of it while channel surfing. I'm wondering how it kept so many fans and still had somewhat good of a following, made it to the Guinness Book, and STILL is a household name after all these years on air. Trust me, at first glance I wanted to extinguish it, but after seeing a few episodes, I love it. Please, if you're sick of the teen drama stuff, watch Guiding Light instead...moreless
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Please someone plug the Light back in???!!!

10

By tv_junkie_12, Jan 25, 2010

It has only been a little over 4 months since the Light was turned out. I say, why doesn't someone turn it back on?!! Can't one of the actors take over the show? (I.E. Crystal Chappel - Venice The Series) It can be written again, just change the name of the title, buy it, something. Not having this show that was so much a part of my everyday life since birth is really hard to take. CBS has lost my viewmanship, and my respect!

As to the show, it was a constant companion since my Mother's death 20 years ago. I feel so lost without it, empty, numb. It was my contact with her. It became 'reality' tv to me, and a lot of other women, families in this country. We shared this show with our families. Everyone got involved. I NEVER thought it would end.

I feel though, if someone does restore GL to tv, can they concentrate on the families more, and not make it about just 3 families? The Spauldings, Coopers, and Bauers are great, but what about the Reardons, the Santos, and some new families? Towns have more than just a few families in them, with more than just a few businesses. I would like to see the show made more real, but still have the history of the original. This is just my opinion, what's yours? I would like to say to all the actors of the show, you are missed! You are in our hearts, and keep smiling, maybe the Light will come back. God bless you all!moreless
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Forums: Guiding Light

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It's Official - Guiding Light Canceled!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that the cast and crew of GUIDING LIGHT were notified today that yes, the 72-year-old show has been ...

By jamie106, Apr 01, 2009

08/02/11

13
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Bring Back The Light!!
The guiding light has been one of the best soaps around for years and years. I watched this growing up with my Mom. I believe we n...

By Staceyw07, Jan 11, 2010

03/03/10

2
Reply
New Hope Guiding Light & As The World Turns go to cable.
According to Peapack Jersey Mayor, that's were they shoot the show, they haven't given up the lease on the buildings that they use...

By craigcp, Apr 02, 2009

10/03/09

7
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Why Cancel the greatest show on the air?
Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth here. Being a fan of this great show has caused many an hour of enjoyable entertainment, away ...

By estaduare, Aug 03, 2009

09/23/09

19
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Archived Episodes of GL
I have been watching this show since I could sit up and watch TV with my mom. There were alot of shows I missed when I was in scho...

By fergusont926, Sep 18, 2009

09/22/09

3
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