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So what will CBS do now that Guiding Light is going away?

by Bob Sassone, posted Apr 2nd 2009 3:22PM
Guiding LightYesterday - a day usually set aside for light-hearted pranks and various other yuk-yuks - will forever be remembered now as the day that CBS got rid of Guiding Light, the longest running drama on TV (it started on radio in 1937 and TV in 1952).

It's probably the starting gun for other networks to get rid of their soap operas. It's a dying genre, either gone forever or scattered here and there on the TV landscape. It's really sad. Fans can mourn the death of a long-running network show, but a big part of pop culture is dying too. I watched the show since the late '70s/early '80s, and while I drifted away a few years ago, I've been watching it again, so it's going to be weird that it's not on anymore. I'll be recording that last episode and grabbing the inevitable collectible issue of Soap Opera Digest.

So what will CBS do now that they'll have another hour on the schedule Monday through Friday? A look at some of their options after the jump.

1. The 25,000 Pyramid. One show that CBS might put in GL's place is a new version of the old Dick Clark game show, this time produced by Michael Davies (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?). Hey, if soaps have to go away, I would love to see more game shows in their place. But this one? Didn't they already try a new version of this show a few years ago with Donny Osmond? Out of all of the old games shows they could do, this is the one they might try? I liked it good enough in the Clark days, but I'd pick something else. Still, this is better than another talk show, another Maury Povich-ish show, or....

2. ... a third hour of The Early Show. Please make the insanity stop! NBC already does several hours of Today, and it's very plausible that CBS will do the same with their morning show. But The Early Show is constantly in third place, so I don't know what logic CBS could use to rationalize another hour (other than money or branding). I wonder how they'd do it since Guiding Light's hour on the schedule is different depending on where you live. In Boston it's on at 9AM, other parts of the country it's on at 2PM.

3. Another talk show/cooking show/women's show. They'll probably give this some serious thought, either a new show similar to Martha or Rachael Ray or The View or maybe airing an existing show some way.

So...what type of show would you like to see in GL's place?

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juliebug

i have watched guiding light for over 35 years it saddens me to think that the show is no long goning to be aired cbs is not only takeing away a great show but takeing a huge part of there loyal fans ...... ill no longer watch young and the restless. bold and the beautiful or as the world turns .........in my opinion guiding light was the best thing cbs had going for a day time soap ...

June 24 2009 at 4:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Betty

Why not Kim's Closet - it's a great new, refreshing lifestyle and makeover show (unlike any others!)
www.KimsCloset.TV - they are saying the host Kimberly is going to do for fashion what Rachel Ray has done for food!

June 04 2009 at 10:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
E Westerman

I love Guiding Light. It is the only TV program I tune into these days and when it is gone I will probably not even turn on the TV. I hate game shows, talk shows, and reality TV. What else is there. I never got into the Bold and the Beautiful. Too much incest.

May 10 2009 at 9:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bernadette

Guiding Light is an American Tradition as deeply rooted in the psyche of many folks as baseball & apple pie. Keep the show on the air! If CBS/Procter & Gamble put out "THE LIGHT" they will lose a huge chunk of their most loyal viewers/customer base. Put it on in primetime- -If you put the KABOSH on this piece of Americana, say SAYONARA to your hunk of the American $PIE$. . .

May 01 2009 at 5:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
enta small

I have watched Guiding Light for 35 years. Oh that we could bring back Bert Bauer and her boys. I think the acting and the character development has slowly gotten worse and worse. I don't give a darn about all these young actors who jump from bed to bed; where is the story. If you did a family tree you would find about 5 people intermarrying all the time. Take Reva... married how many times???? And this jumping camera gives me a headache. I loved the old GL but maybe CBS has the right answer to save us all from another 70 some years of this rot that is on now.

April 24 2009 at 11:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lvanw

I, too, have grown up with GL, first watching with my grandmother, then taping episodes while I worked and now enjoying retirement with the folks of Springfield, (IL?). I suppose I'll be able to "take it" if Reva and Josh get back together (buh-bye Jeffrey), Alan gets locked up forever, Buzz finally marries a good woman (who doesn't die)--Lillian, I hope, Harley comes back from Greece and Frank moves next door to ME!

April 22 2009 at 9:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rita

My grandmother and my mother, whom are both deceased, along with my 3 sisters were glued to the TV as soon as we got home from school to watch Guilding Light. We were never so close as that time. My sisters and I are all gown up now but we have watched that terrific show with our daughters and now our granddaughters. No its not brain surgery or rocket science......just a great escape for at least 1 hour out of our lives. We will certainly miss it.

April 21 2009 at 7:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Julie

We certainly don't need anpother talk show or court show on the air. There are too many of those to begin with. Bring back 25,000 Pyramid and another game show back. Don't get Donny Osmond back to host. He's so annoying and full of himself.

April 21 2009 at 2:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nika4

Like so many others, I would come home from school and watch GL with my mom...that was a cozy, comfy time in my life...an after school snack, cuddled up on the couch with mom, watching TV. I will miss GL, especially since it was my one link to my mom, who is no longer living. How sad. Life is full of changes.

April 21 2009 at 12:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michelle M

I was sad to see Another World on NBC go 10 years ago. However I expect NBC to cancel soap operas i.e. Passions, Sunset Beach and Santa Barbara.

I must say though cancellations from CBS are a big surprise when it comes to the longest running soap opera ever. I always thought CBS was the most soap friendly network out there.

April 18 2009 at 11:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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