Guiding Light

Robert Newman Shares Why There Has Not Been a Return to Springfield & ‘Guiding Light’ On-Screen Reunion

April 5, 2020

Photo: JPI

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.

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Jimh

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!!!

Guest

C. J. French

Yes please to Proctor & Gamble… more people would buy your products!!!!

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Dana Williams

I have missed these actors tremendously. It is ridiculous that p&g wont release the copy rights. Selfish. Very selfish!

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PRESTON BRIGGS

Proctor& Gamble Should Make Guiding Light A Complete Comeback On The Air. Return To Springfield.

Guest

Margherita

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!!!

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matthew

Why bother, most of the characters would have been written out by now, production values would have gone down as has Y & R.

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RobO

Can you imagine what the onscreen version would look like now? I shutter to think what a disaster it would be.

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Angela Bryden

yes there should be a reunions of guiding light. people love that show

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Rodd

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… Read more »

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The other Lis

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.

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stevie g

The trouble is that reboots with out the original writers or producers don’t seem the same. They always feel like something is missing.

Guest

Phil

That’s ridiculous, GL had several “golden years” written by many different writers. I don’t think this theory applies to soaps!

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nancy

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.

Guest

ajonny

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… Read more »

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Carletha Gordon

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♀️

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Deborah Moore

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… Read more »

Guiding Light

GL and ‘Nashville’ Alum Hayden Panettiere Loses Her Younger Brother Jansen at 28-Years-Old

February 20, 2023

Just devastating news to report on Monday evening. Hayden Panettiere’s (ex-Lizzie, Guiding Light, ex-Juliette, Nashville) younger brother Jansen Panettiere has died at only 28-years-old.

According to TMZ, Jansen died over the weekend in New York. His cause of death is not available, but there was no foul play suspected in Jansen’s death. Police responded to a call and came to a residence at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday where they found Jansen.

As with his sister, Jansen was deep into his acting career and was only five years younger than Hayden.

Throughout his career he appeared in Even Stevens, The X’s, Tiger Cruise, Racing Stripes, The Martial Arts Kid, The Walking Dead, Major Crimes, and the holiday film Love and Love Not.

Less than 3 weeks ago, Jansen shared an adorable picture on his Instagram with his hair being cut by his big sister, Hayden.

Jansen is survived by Hayden and their parents, Lesley Vogel and Skip Panettiere.

Send your love and condolences to Hayden and her family on the sudden passing of Jansen via the comment section below.

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A post shared by Jansen Rane Panettiere (@jrpanettiere)

Guiding Light

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco Expecting First Child Together

October 12, 2022

Congratulations are in order for one of the finest actors we know, Tom Pelphrey (ex-Jonathan, Guiding Light) and his girlfriend former ‘Big Bang Theory’ star, Kaley Cuoco!

The couple each shared a series of photos on their Instagram accounts, announcing that they are expecting their first child, a baby girl!

Cuoco shared: “Baby girl Pelphrey coming 2023💕 beyond blessed and over the moon… I 💓you”

Pelphrey expressed: “And then it was even MORE BETTER. 🎀🎀🎀. Love you more than ever @kaleycuoco ♥️🙏♥️”

The couple had confirmed their relationship this past May and recently attended the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards in September where they both were nominees; Cuoco for The Flight Attendant and Pelphrey for Ozark.

Tom and Kaley actually met back in April, and it has been noted in the press as ‘love at first sight’ when Cuoco attended the premiere of Ozark.

Share your well-wishes for Tom, Kaley, and the bundle of joy on the way, via the comment section.

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A post shared by Kaley Cuoco (@kaleycuoco)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tom Pelphrey (@tommypelphrey)

Guiding Light

Jerry verDorn Tribute on Tap During Virtual 18th Annual ‘Stars and Strikes’ Charity Event

September 20, 2022

Daytime lost one of its most beloved veteran actors in Jerry verDorn (ex-Ross, GL, ex-Clint, OLTL). The two-time Daytime Emmy-winning star passed away earlier this year on May 1st from his battle with cancer.

In celebration and remembrance of his life and career, the 18th annual Daytime Stars and Strikes fundraiser which has always been a staple event helmed by verDorn and his former GL co-star Liz Keifer, is having a livestream special on You Tube’s The Locher Room on Sunday, October 9th starting at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST.

Participating will be former colleagues and cast members of Jerry’s from both Guiding Light and One Life to Live including: Kristen Alderson,Terrell Anthony, Grant Aleksander, Bryan Buffinton, Jean Carol, Beth Chamberlin, Crystal Chappell, Justin Deas, Mark Derwin, Frank Dicopoulos, Ricky Paull Goldin, Melissa Hayden, Rick Hearst, Crystal Hunt, Vincent Irizarry, Liz Keifer, Maeve Kinkead, Wendy Moniz, Robert Newman, Michael O’Leary, Denise Pence, Ron Raines, Sean Ringgold, Peter Simon, Erika Slezak, Tina Sloan, Krista Tesreau, Gina Tognoni, Bree Williamson, Laura Wright and Kim Zimmer.

75% of the proceeds from the event will go to The Autism Society of America and the remaining 25% of proceeds will go to the newly established Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund which will help send individuals with Autism to theater camps and other educational programs.

To watch the livestream on Oct 9 click here.

So, glad to hear that Jerry’s friends and former cast members will be gathering on a livestream to share their special remembrances of him while raising awareness and funds for a good cause? Comment below.