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.

Saturday morning at 10amPST/1PMEST on Palm Springs iHub Radio, there will be a special hour tribute to the late soap veteran John Callahan who passed away last week at 66.

Callahan hosted his own show on the station, and to honor him the stations owner John McMullen, along with several of Callahan’s former All My Children co-stars including: Bobbie Eakes (Ex-Krystal), Walt Willey (Ex-Jack) , and Julia Barr (Ex-Brooke)  will also be part of the live broadcast special event, along with LIVE magazine TV host Melissa Neiderman, and other longtime friends and colleagues of Callahan’s.

As some know, John Callahan was a longtime resident of the Coachella Valley. From 2018 on he continued to be a part of the station with his weekly show all the way up until his death.

John’s soap resume was impressive, not only from his time as All My Children;s Edmund Grey, but also as General Hospital’s Leo Russell, Santa Barbara’s Craig Hunt, and Days of our Lives, Dr. Baker, plus his primetime roles including on Falcon Crest.

Following iHub Radio’s special broadcast, the tribute program will be available as an on-demand show via the iHubRadio.com home page.

So, let us know if you will be listening or caught the special broadcast honoring John today in the comment section below.

Starting this Monday, April 6th, both the Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Wendy Williams Show will resume airing new episodes with original’ ‘at home’ content with the hosts thus resuming production remotely of the popular daytime talk shows during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Ellen and Wendy will now both host from their respective homes.

According to the Hollywood Reporter: “New material from Williams will be included in episodes that taped before production stopped on March 12.”

Williams also let her viewers know on the change: “I may not be in my purple chair, and it may not look the same but I’m very excited to get back to my Wendy Watchers.  There’s so much uncertainty in all of our worlds right now and we need each other.”

Guests for Ellen next week will include: Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, David Spade, and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany.  In addition, look for the series resident dancer and DJ, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, and executive producer Andy Lassner to be a part of the new content and episodes.

Ellen said of her new ‘at home’ hosting gig with her show:  “Since going into quarantine two weeks ago, I’ve been doing my show at home every day. But only for Portia. Starting Monday, you’ll be able to see it, too, and I can’t wait.”

In the wake of the COVID-1 pandemic, Ellen and Wendy will join other daytime talkers who are doing their show from home including: The Talk, Live with Kelly and Ryan and The Tamron Hal Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and the also just announced return of Rachael Ray; where Rachael will broadcast two new shows (April 6 and 10) from her kitchen in upstate New York.

So, what do you think of the efforts the talk shows are going through to continue to air new content and episodes during the coronavirus pandemic? Comment below.