CBS to decide Guiding Light's fate this week
It looks the lighthouse may be switched off before the end of 2009. CBS is expected to determine whether or not to renew Guiding Light later this week. All things considered, I think the network is going to call it a day for the 72-year-old soap opera. The ratings have been lagging and the way Guiding Light is situated around the country – being broadcast in different time slots instead of having a regular fixed time like the rest of the CBS soaps – it's not likely to ever challenge in the Nielsens.
And you can't even use the old standby argument that Guiding Light is the best soap on TV – an Emmy winner – because this past year has been a rough one for the show. Changing the filming from traditional studio sets to something raw like cinéma vérité ("let's shoot in a parking lot or under a tree"), hasn't helped. In fact, it's been distracting and hard to get used to, despite the still prominent actors and good stories.
The return of Grant Aleksander earlier this year has helped a bit, but overall, I'd be lying if I said I have great faith in CBS sticking with the show beyond the September 2009 end date.
Still, if the show gets a reprieve – even if it's only to keep it on the air for three more years so it can reach its 75th anniversary, an historic achievement that would probably never be equaled (not even by Law & Order!) – I'll be the first to cheer. In fact, maybe that's what CBS should announce. The end of Guiding Light will be on the 75th anniversary. Set a final date and let fans enjoy till then.
Unfortunately for a soap fan like me, I have to face the fact that daytime has changed to point that soap operas are no longer viable entertainment. Reality shows, talk, judge shows and even sitcom reruns in syndication could be what covers the daytime line up in the years to come.

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