Guiding Light
Robert Newman Shares Why There Has Not Been a Return to Springfield & ‘Guiding Light’ On-Screen Reunion
Robert Newman, best known to daytime soap fans as Josh Lewis on Guiding Light, sat down earlier this week for a wide-ranging interview on his career with Lauren Van Hemert via her You Tube Channel.
The timing of the posting of the interview as in-line with the date GL was officially canceled back on April 1, 2009. The series began its historic run on TV from radio back on June 30, 1952, and ultimately aired its final episode on September 18, 2009.

Photo: JPI
From 1980 to 2009, Robert was one of the mainstays and key leading men of Springfield, and of course, the Josh and Reva (Kim Zimmer) love story is one of the most popular ever in the annals of daytime drama.
Right off at the top of the interview; Hemert noted that what she was asked most by fans of Newman’s and GL’s, when and if there will ever be a Guiding Light on-screen reunion.
Newman responded to the question: “I get that a lot. That question is unfortunately in the hands of Procter and Gamble more than anything else … and they made it very clear over the years that they’re just not going to release the characters and copyrights to the show.”
Robert also added, “In terms of what you are talking about where there might be some sort of production, where there’s an actual reunion, and we see where Josh and Reva are today and that kind of thing (on their probably 15th marriage) … unless Procter and Gamble is somehow willing to shake loose the rights to the show, I don’t see it happening.”
Watch the full interview with the talented Mr. Newman below.
Then let us know, since P&G has made it very clear for the last several years they are out of the soap business completely, do you think its time they just sell the rights so viewers can see some sort of reboot down the line, especially for a show as beloved as Guiding Light? Comment below.
i dont understand P&Gs thinking…why hold on to something they could make some money at…it would be nice if they could do at least a daytime mini series or something online or a two part movie!!!
Yes please to Proctor & Gamble… more people would buy your products!!!!
I have missed these actors tremendously. It is ridiculous that p&g wont release the copy rights. Selfish. Very selfish!
Proctor& Gamble Should Make Guiding Light A Complete Comeback On The Air. Return To Springfield.
Thanks for sharing this. Would love to see more of these. And watching Josh turn into Edna on You Tube is a lot of fun, too:) I miss GL and ATWT!!!
Why bother, most of the characters would have been written out by now, production values would have gone down as has Y & R.
Can you imagine what the onscreen version would look like now? I shutter to think what a disaster it would be.
yes there should be a reunions of guiding light. people love that show
P&G really are bastards about their shows. They’re kind of like the kid who gets miffed, picks up all his marbles and goes home. It is unfathomable to me how they can one day just decide to pull all their soap content and keep it for themselves all these years. Remember when they had the web site for their shows that went off the air? One day it was there, the next it was gone. WTH? Why? And why won’t they allow the loyal fans of their many, many shows to see them again in some format? Remember when they allows an “official” role-play and on line continuation of ANOTHER WORLD? That was unceremoniously dumped, too. The logic may be somewhere in the dark recesses of someone’s mind at PP&G, but they are doing a great disservice to the fans of their shows by not explaining themselves or restoring the access we were once allowed. If there are P&G soap actors that are willing to get together in some format for the fans’ sake, than they should work it out.
I’d say to boycott P&G products until they give us what we’re demanding, but I don’t think there are enough of us to make that work, to hit them hard in their pocketbooks. But it sure would be nice to reward or say Thank You to the millions who stated using their products because they were advertised on their soaps. JMHO.
The streaming revolution is upon us and content is king. Disney is reconsidering booting All My Children and One Life to Live. Days is around desite is lackluster ratings because of Peacock. If Disney truly reboots AMC and One Life to Live, I suspect Proctor and Gamble might change its tune.
The trouble is that reboots with out the original writers or producers don’t seem the same. They always feel like something is missing.
That’s ridiculous, GL had several “golden years” written by many different writers. I don’t think this theory applies to soaps!
they should do a reboot. a 30 min soap like bold and the beautiful that could be aired on a cable, streamed online, netflix. they should bring back the original cast with the grown children. and fix some storylines by doing what dallas did by bring bobby ewing alive.
I completely agree! To: Proctor and Gamble, I have been a LOYAL customer of yours all of these years! Ever since I was a small girl aged 4 and my family purchased your products and now as an adult 42. I continue to buy Dawn, Cascade etc… LOYALLY! Mainly because I grew up watching Guiding Light (my favorite) and, As The World Turns. I loved the shows (some of my first crushes were on soap opera characters like Dusty and Philip!) I remember seeing your products on the commercials that played in between. Bring it back, or sell it! Covid has proven that if the content is there and it is good, people will watch!
Absolutely!!! They could reboot the show. They could test the waters by having reva and josh visiting y&r on business. or have a spaulding to visit b&b. Hell even use just main characters to move to town and join y&r or b&b… lord knows b&b needs more depth. It takes them a week to have a character says 5 sentences. They all just repeat the same lines over and over for weeks!!! And there are sooo many old cliff hangers to revisit come on P&G really♀️
I started watching GL and the world turn with my mother during the summer one year in the 60’s and watched everyday I could. When I started working in the 80’s I started recording every episode. I even got my husband watching, he was as disappointed as I was when the show was cancelled. I was disappointed when the show had Reva cloned and I think that was when things went down hill. I would love for the Guiding light to return and I know I’m not the only one. I have always wanted it to return. Please. I’m not the only one. I had also watched As The World Turns. I miss it too. I never cared for the game shows. I always looked forward every weekday to my soap. I think if Proctor & Gamble doesn’t have any interest they should sell the rights. I felt like I lost part of my life and I still want it to return. I’m not the only one.
Guiding Light
Tom Pelphrey Takes on The Role of ‘Jesus Christ’ with Y&R’s Courtney Hope as ‘Mary’ in New Podcast Series
Since first making a name for himself as Reva’s (Kim Zimmer) son, Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light, Tom Pelphrey’s (ex-ATWT and GL) post-soap career has featured many complex and dark roles in television and motion pictures. Now comes perhaps, Pelphrey’s most stunning role when he will play Jesus Christ in a new four–part audio series podcast, called The Christ.
The series is from the Faith Podcast Network who will be releasing the series for Easter. It is being billed as “an audio epic and the first ever full-scale audio dramatization of Jesus’ life across four immersive episodes using cinematic-quality sound, music and performances.” The podcast series will feature more than 100 different characters and can be heard at TheChristPodcast.com
Joining The Ozark and Task star in the cast are some other high-profile Hollywood names including: David Ovelowo as Pontius Pilot, Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist, Patricia Heaton as the host and John Rhys-Davies as the narrator. In addition, none other than The Young and the Restless, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra) also is featured as Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Photo: FaithPodcastNetwork
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The Christ comes from a creative team that includes writer and director Paul Cuschieri, co-director and producer Mark Ramsey and producer Jim Young.” The series drops during Holy Week, with the first episode debuting on March 30. A new episode will be released each day through April 2, scheduled accordingly so that the entire series will be available by Good Friday on April 3.
The official logline says The Christ will cover “the life, death and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth. Through betrayal, courage, suffering and hope, the series explores how one man’s story reshaped history — and redefined love, authority and sacrifice.”
Pelphrey who announced he has 12-years of sobriety back in 2025, shared why this project was of importance to him, “Sharing about sobriety and faith are so personal to me, and it means so much to me. The other thing you notice is when people are sharing things, you could say a word to a thousand people, and a thousand people hear a different version of that word. In all humility, to share something that matters to you, you first have to come to an understanding and acceptance that you’re surrendering how it’s going to be heard or what it means to anyone listening. You have no control over it. That’s been an amazing process to go through.”
So, what do you think of Tom Pelphrey playing the audio version of Jesus Christ and Courtney Hope playing Mary, Mother of Jesus? Excited to hear the story of Christ via this podcast series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Guiding Light
‘Guiding Light’s’ Kim Zimmer Reflects on Brilliant Scenes with Tom Pelphrey After Initially Telling Producers, ‘Hire Any of Them But the Last Guy’
Throughout its 57-year run on daytime, Guiding Light introduced television audiences to many actor who would go on to have major careers in motion pictures, primetime television and the stage. One such is the incredible Tom Pelphrey (Task, Mank, Ozark, Outer Range, et al.), who from the minute he debuted on the CBS soap took soap viewers by storm for his raw, relatable and emotional turn as Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Prince Richard Winslow’s (Bradley Cole) son, Jonathan Randall.
In the complicated storyline, Jonathan was conceived and born while Reva was suffering from amnesia and believing herself to be Princess Catherine while living in San Cristobel. As Jonathan grew up his life was torn apart making him a vengeful, menacing young man, who under it all was deeply wounded and who felt abandoned and forgot about.
Kim Zimmer won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Reva Shayne, while Tom Pelphrey took home two Daytime Emmys for the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his performance. On-screen, together, they were a riveting pairing which included many a tense scene including when Jonathan choked out Reva.

Photo: JPI
During last week’s Guiding Light reunion livestream with Zimmer, Bradley Cole (ex-Richard and Jeffrey, GL) and Laura Wright (ex-Cassie, GL, now Carly, GH) on the You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, the three actors reminisced about their time together as romantic pairings: Reva/Richard, Cassie/Richard, Reva/Jeffrey etc, but also talked about many of their co-stars and their deeply personal feelings of what Guiding Light meant to all of them.
REVA AND JONATHAN WERE SOAP OPERA GOLD
Though the years, it’s been no secret that Zimmer, did not initially want Tom Pelphrey cast as her son, because as she admitted, in the audition process with her, she was scared of him based on the power of his performance in the scene.
Kim recalled, “I went in (to the producers) right after I auditioned like seven guys, and I said, ‘Hire any of them, but the last guy.’ And they all looked at me like I had six heads, because they had already decided they were going to cast him. And then when I said that, they were like, ‘we’re definitely going to cast him now! That’s the feeling they wanted. They knew he scared me.”
The beloved GL heroine said that once she began working in a scene with Pelphrey, all was A-OK! “It was almost immediate once we started really working together, and I could trust the story,” shared Kim. “It was such a bizarre story that I was being given, again (also referencing Reva’s Clone story as the other), that I was hesitant about that. But once we started really working together, there was no question that they had made the right decision.”
In fact, fans loved Reva and Jonathan so much, they would vote them top couple as Kim remembers, “And, you know, in the soap magazines, we got voted, ‘Best couple,’ and we weren’t a love couple. We were a mother and son. That was like the biggest compliment to me – we’d get nominated as ‘Outstanding Couple.’
ONE OF THE FINEST ACTORS IN THE HISTORY OF GUIDING LIGHT
Kim’s real-life son, Jake Weary has also made quite the name for himself in TV and motion pictures and Pelphrey also bonded many years ago: “When my son was living in LA, he and Jake would hang out together. They had mutual friends and they got to know each other pretty well, which I love. Jake actually asked me recently if I had any favorite Guiding Light scenes that I could remember. And I said, ‘Anything with HB (Larry Gates), Billy Lewis (Jordan Clarke) and Tom Pelphrey.
During the livestream, Laura Wright, who worked in many scenes with Pelphrey, added, “In my opinion, Tom took the bar and he raised it. Not just in talent because he had that, but Tom inspired you. He made you want to do like that, and he wanted you to be as great. He just was all around a great guy to work with.”
In case you missed it, you can check out the Guiding Light live reunion with Kim, Bradley and Laura, followed by some incredible scenes between Tom and Kim as Jonathan and Reva.
Then, let us know, do you think Reva and Jonathan as played by Kim Zimmer and Tom Pelphrey, were the most dynamic mother/son duo all-time on the soaps? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Guiding Light’ Reunion: Kim Zimmer, Bradley Cole and Laura Wright to Chat Live!
In a very special livestream reunion; three of the former stars of the legendary Guiding Light, who’s on-screen lives were forever intertwined, will visit the Michael Fairman Channel on Friday, January 30 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.
Look for GL icon and four-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva Shayne), Bradley Cole (ex-Prince Richard Winslow and Jeffrey O’Neill and ex-Warren Bauer, GH), and Daytime Emmy winner Laura Wright (ex-Cassie Layne, now Carly Spencer on GH) to reminisce about their time together and memories of the daytime drama that lasted an astounding 57 years on television and counting radio, 72 years.
Guiding Light fans will recall, Bradley’s first run as Richard and his royal wedding to Cassie, to returning as a Jeffrey O’Neill, and how it caused tension between sisters, Reva and Cassie, and much more.

Photo: JPI
As viewers know, Kim Zimmer played the iconic role of Reva Shayne from 1983–1990 and from 1995–2009. Bradley Cole portrayed Prince Richard Winslow from 1999- 2002, and after the character was killed-off, he returned as Jeffrey O’Neill, a lawyer-turned-special agent, who was with the series from 2003-2009. As the show went off the air for the last time in the September 18, 2009 finale, Jeffrey was presumed dead. Then, in 2010, Cole came to General Hospital to take on the short-term but important run of Warren Bauer, who was believed to have abused his son, Kiefer Bauer.
Laura Wright played Reva’s sister Cassie Layne in a stunning reveal in 1999, and stayed with the series until 2005, before moving to General Hospital later that year to take on the role of Carly Corinthos, now going by Carly Spencer and the rest for Wright is as they say, history.
Not only will the GL alums and stars chat about their time on the soap, but will bring you up-to-date on their lives now. First, Bradley has a new album out entitled Desert Dreams. The 12 track project pays a musical tribute to Cole’s upbringing in Los Angeles and the classic rock, pop, and south-of-the-border influences of the ’60s and ’70s that shaped his musical foundation. Desert Dreams blends a classic rock vibe with nostalgic country and a modern Americana sensibility, highlighting Cole’s clear storytelling and skillful melodic songwriting.

Photo: JPI
Meanwhile, Laura Wright continues to star on ABC’s General Hospital whereas Carly Spencer she is embroiled in a major storyline with Carly’s current love interest WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief, Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). After finding out he enlisted her daughter, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) to be a WSB spy, she believes the guy is bad news, or does she? Laura continues her project Sacred Circle where “women pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves — and with each other.”
Then, there is GL icon, Kim Zimmer. She will soon be seen in an upcoming production of Driving Miss Daisy, in the role Daisy at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville, NC, running from March 19 to April 4, 2026. Last year, Kim starred in the play The Trip to Bountiful at Theatre Raleigh. Back in 2024, Zimmer went public with her breast cancer diagnosis and that she had undergone treatment. She is also the proud mom to TV and film, actor Jake Weary.
If you cannot be with us in the live chat, but have a question or comment you would like posed to Kim, Bradley or Laura, make sure to drop it in the comment section below, and we just might ask it during the live broadcast.
Now below, also check out the Guiding Light profiler with clips from Bradley Cole’s run as Jeffrey O’Neil and how the character was involved with Reva and Cassie and more.
So, excited to see Kim, Bradley and Laura reminiscing about their time on Guiding Light and more? Let us know via the comment section!
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star
-
Days Of Our Lives2 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?